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Qatar crowned Asian U19 handball champions
Doha, Qatar: Qatar clinched the U19 Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship after defeating Bahrain 28-24 in the final in Amman, Jordan, yesterday.
Qatar dominated from the outset, taking a 16-10 lead into half-time before maintaining control in the second half to secure the continental title with a four-goal victory.
The triumph capped an unbeaten campaign for Qatar, who finished top of Group B with eight points after victories over Saudi Arabia (30-22), Kuwait (30-19), Iran (24-22) and Syria (42-29). Qatar then continued their impressive run in the knockout stage, thrashing hosts Jordan 33-13 in the quarter-finals before defeating South Korea 32-28 in the semi-finals to book their place in the title decider. cricket-ipl.in
Bahrain reached the final after beating Iran 26-23 in the other semi-final.
Qatar’s continental triumph also secured their qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship in North Macedonia, where they will make their seventh appearance at the global tournament.
Yamal, Raphinha bag braces as Barcelona rout Rayo
Barcelona: Barcelona's teenage star Lamine Yamal and Raphinha both struck twice as the champions beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 on Monday to continue their perfect start to the campaign.
Sergio Camello netted a brace for the visitors at Camp Nou but Hansi Flick's Barca managed to record a third win from three matches from an entertaining battle.
With his first goal, Yamal, 19, hit the milestone of 50 for the club -- two years younger than Barcelona icon Lionel Messi was when he managed the feat.
"We have to keep working, for now it's three wins from three, and we have to try and reach all our objectives," said Barca midfielder Marc Bernal.
"In the last games (Yamal) could not score, but he's shown his quality through his career. Today he scored and we're happy for him."
Barcelona started brightly but fell behind after Jules Kounde allowed Alvaro Garcia to race beyond him.
The Rayo midfielder crossed for Camello to finish clinically first time into the top corner.
Stung, champions Barcelona hit back quickly with quickfire goals from Raphinha and Yamal.
Raphinha, who has played up front during the start of the season amid Barcelona's failed battle to land Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, continued his rich vein of goalscoring form.
The Brazil international showed excellent footwork to leave Pathe Ciss for dead and then produced a cool finish.
Watching on from the stands was Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, poised to join Barca before the transfer window closes on Tuesday and clearly facing a battle with his compatriot to start up front.
Shortly afterwards teenager Yamal scored his first of the season after Rayo conceded possession in a dangerous area following a defensive mix-up.
Yamal opened up some space and brilliantly whipped the ball into the near top corner to bring up his half-century for Barca.
Flick's side stretched their lead early in the second half when Florian Lejeune bundled Anthony Gordon's cross into his own net.
However, youngster Xavi Espart could not handle Camello at a Rayo corner and the forward nodded home his second of the game to give the visitors a fighting chance.
The electric Gordon helped create Raphinha's second of the night and the Brazilian's fifth of the season, making him La Liga's top goalscorer.
Former Newcastle winger Gordon backheeled the ball to Raphinha who tucked home to secure Barca's win, with Yamal further extending their advantage in stoppage time.
The youngster, who Flick said was arriving back at his top level after suffering a hamstring injury in April, produced a lethal curling finish from the edge of the area after substitute Karim Adeyemi teed him up.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR ACTIVE PEOPLE: WHY TRAINING HARDER MAKES SPINAL HEALTH MORE IMPORTANT, NOT LESS
Most people who train regularly think about chiropractic care in one context: when something hurts
badly enough that they cannot ignore it. They book an appointment, things improve, and they go back
to training until the same pattern recurs.
This is the least effective way to use chiropractic care, and it misses the more significant role it plays in how well an active body actually performs.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR SPINE WHEN YOU TRAIN
Every load-bearing activity, running, lifting, cycling, CrossFit, tennis, swimming, places compressive and shear forces through the spinal column and the joints of the pelvis and lower limb. At moderate volumes and with adequate recovery, the musculoskeletal system adapts positively to these forces: bones become denser, connective tissue stronger, movement patterns more efficient.
But training does not distribute load evenly. It amplifies the asymmetries and restrictions that already exist in your movement system. A restriction in thoracic rotation, common in people who sit at desks, means that rotational load in sport is taken up by the lumbar spine and hip instead. A stiff ankle means that force absorption on landing travels further up the chain. A restricted sacroiliac joint alters the mechanics of every stride.
These compensations are invisible at low load. At high training volumes, they become the source of the overuse injuries that most active people will experience at some point: disc irritation, facet joint pain, IT band syndrome, recurring hamstring strains, lateral knee pain.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PAIN RELIEF AND PERFORMANCE
Conventional chiropractic, the appointment you book when your back locks up, is typically focused on pain relief. Manipulation to the symptomatic joint restores movement, reduces muscle guarding, and provides meaningful pain relief. For many patients, this is genuinely transformative.
But for active people, the more significant application is upstream of pain. A skilled sports chiropractor is looking at the movement system as a whole, how load is distributed, where restriction exists, what the relationship is between symptoms in one area and mechanics in another. This is the difference between treating the back pain and treating the movement problem that is causing the back pain.
For someone training four to six times per week, that distinction matters enormously. An athlete who is structurally balanced, whose joints move freely and whose load is distributed appropriately, is not only less likely to get injured. They are more likely to express the full range of the strength and power they have developed through training.
WHAT A CHIROPRACTIC ASSESSMENT LOOKS AT
A sports-focused chiropractic assessment goes beyond asking where it hurts. The assessment covers:
- Global movement screening: how the full body moves through functional patterns relevant to the patient’s sport and training.
- Joint mobility assessment: specific testing of thoracic, lumbar, cervical, sacroiliac, hip and ankle mobility to identify the restrictions most commonly associated with overuse injury.
- Neurological screening: where there is any element of nerve involvement, sensation, reflexes and strength are assessed.
- Postural and load analysis: identifying the compensatory patterns that develop in response to restriction and are driving excess load to vulnerable structures.
- Sport-specific assessment: for runners, cyclists, golfers, CrossFit athletes, and racquet sport players, the movement demands of their specific sport inform the assessment.
From this picture, treatment is targeted, not just to the site of pain, but to the underlying mechanical contributors. Manipulation, mobilisation, and soft tissue work are combined with a rehabilitation plan that addresses the strength and mobility deficits identified.
COMMON PRESENTATIONS IN ACTIVE PATIENTS
The following patterns are extremely common in people who train regularly and are frequently under-treated or misattributed:
Thoracic restriction and shoulder pain
The thoracic spine is the segment most commonly stiffened by desk-based work and prolonged sitting. Reduced thoracic rotation means that overhead and rotational movements in sport are generated from the shoulder and cervical spine rather than distributed through the thorax. This is one of the leading drivers of rotator cuff overload, cervicogenic headaches, and shoulder impingement in active adults.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction in runners
The sacroiliac joint is the junction between the spine and the pelvis. Restriction or instability here disrupts the transfer of force from the ground through the lower limb and into the trunk with every stride. SIJ dysfunction is frequently mistaken for lumbar disc disease and responds well to chiropractic management.
Cervicogenic headaches in cyclists and swimmers
Extended periods in cervical flexion — on a road bike or in freestyle and butterfly swimming — load the facet joints and deep cervical flexors in a pattern that frequently produces headaches referred from the upper neck. These headaches are almost universally attributed to stress or hydration. They originate in the cervical spine and respond to treatment there.
Lumbar pain in CrossFit and weightlifting
High-load flexion under load, deadlifts, Olympic lifts, squats, requires full lumbar and hip mobility and significant stability. Restriction in either produces shear force at the lumbar discs and facets that accumulates over training cycles. Early chiropractic intervention addresses the restriction before it becomes a disc problem.
HOW CHIROPRACTIC FITS ALONGSIDE PHYSIOTHERAPY AND SPORTS MEDICINE
Chiropractic is not a competitor to physiotherapy or sports medicine. It is a complementary discipline with a specific and valuable area of focus: the joints of the spine and pelvis, and their relationship to movement and performance throughout the body.
At UPANDRUNNING, our chiropractors work alongside our sports medicine doctors, physiotherapists, and osteopaths. When a patient presents with complex spinal or lower limb pain, the clinical picture is shared and the management approach is integrated. A sports medicine physician may identify an inflammatory component that changes the treatment priority. A physiotherapist may deliver the rehabilitation program that the chiropractor’s structural assessment has informed. The patient benefits from all of it.
If you train regularly and have recurring pain, restricted movement, or the sense that your body is not performing the way it should, a chiropractic assessment is one of the highest-value clinical appointments you can make.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Book an appointment with our doctors. We will create a personalized treatment plan for you.
Qatar Cup semis: Al Sadd target final with Al Gharafa win; Al Rayyan meet Al Shamal
Doha, Qatar: Defending champions Al Sadd will begin their Qatar Cup title defence against Al Gharafa today as the four-team tournament gets underway with the semi-finals.
Al Sadd face Al Gharafa at Khalifa International Stadium at 5pm, while Al Rayyan take on Al Shamal at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium at 7.30pm.
The Qatar Cup is contested by the top four teams of the Qatar Stars League after each season, with the winners of today’s semi-finals advancing to the final scheduled for December 11 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
Al Sadd, who defeated Al Duhail in a penalty shootout to win last year’s title, are seeking their 10th Qatar Cup crown.
The Wolves have made an impressive start to the new QSL season, recording big wins over Al Ahli and Qatar SC in their opening two matches.
Al Gharafa players during a training session.
However, Al Gharafa will provide a familiar and difficult challenge after defeating Al Sadd to lift the Amir Cup title in May.
The Cheetahs are seeking their fourth Qatar Cup crown after opening their league campaign with a win over Al Shahania before losing to Al Shamal.
Al Sadd coach Razvan Lucescu said his side were focused on reaching the final.
“Our team is entering the match with one goal: to win and qualify for the final,” Lucescu said.
“This competition means a lot to us. Winning two matches gives us the chance to lift the Cup, which would be a culmination of the players’ efforts and a source of great joy for the club’s fans.”
Al Sadd coach Razvan Lucescu
Roberto Firmino expects another demanding contest against Al Gharafa, with the Brazilian insisting Al Sadd must carry their winning momentum into the Cup.
“The match against Al Gharafa in the Qatar Cup 2026 semifinal will be difficult and intense. We have the desire to continue our winning streak and take another step closer to winning the title,” Firmino said.
“Any match against Al Gharafa is like a final and this particular match requires us to fight and struggle from beginning to end in order to achieve victory.”
Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins said his players were determined to seize their opportunity in a tournament featuring only four teams.
“We are eager to give off our best against Al Sadd. Our objective is to secure a victory and reach the final,” Martins said.
RIGHT: Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins
“We are well aware of Al Sadd’s strengths, but Al Gharafa are always among the favorites to compete. We have the experience and the ambition, and everyone will do their utmost to achieve victory.”
Amro Suraj also underlined the different nature of knockout football, saying mistakes could prove costly in the battle for a place in the final.
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“Cup matches are always different and do not allow for many mistakes. Perhaps Al Sadd are considered as favourites after winning their first two league matches, but we will fight hard for our chances,” he said.
Al Rayyan, Al Shamal set for thriller
The second semi-final will see Al Rayyan chase their fifth Qatar Cup crown against an Al Shamal side seeking their maiden title in the tournament.
Al Rayyan have enjoyed a perfect start to the season with back-to-back wins over Lusail and Al Wakrah, while Al Shamal drew with Al Arabi before beating Al Gharafa in their second QSL match.
Al Rayyan coach Vicente Moreno said reaching the final would be an important objective early in the season.
Al Rayyan coach Vicente Moreno
“This match is very important for us because it represents an opportunity to reach our first final this season and therefore we must give our all to win,” Moreno said.
“We know we are facing a strong opponent, but I have great confidence in the players.”
Al Shamal coach David Prats said his team were highly motivated to continue their progress.
“This is a very important match for us and we hope to be ready and perform at our usual level. We want to continue developing as a club and achieve victory,” Prats said.
Al Shamal coach David Prats
“The team has undergone several player changes recently. Work is ongoing to maintain the same mentality and ambition the team displayed last season.”
If either semi-final ends in a draw after regulation time, the winners will be decided directly by penalty kicks.
ختام بطولة قطر المفتوحة للإسكواش
اختتمت بمجمع خليفة الدولي منافسات بطولة قطر المفتوحة للناشئين للإسكواش 2026، التي نظمها الاتحاد القطري للإسكواش تحت مظلة الاتحاد الآسيوي للعبة، بمشاركة نخبة من اللاعبين الواعدين ضمن أربع فئات عمرية تحت 11 و13 و15 و17 عاما.
وأشرف السيد طارق زينل أمين السر العام للاتحاد القطري للتنس والإسكواش والبادل الريشة الطائرة، والسيد سعد المهندي مدير البطولة، على تتويج الفائزين بالمراكز الأولى في مختلف المسابقات وذلك بحضور جمع من محبي لعبة الإسكواش.
وأسفرت النتائج النهائية عن تتويج السنغافوري أديف غولي بلقب فئة تحت 17 عاما، متقدما على مواطنه فير مالهوترا الذي حل ثانيا، فيما أحرز الكويتي عبدالله رضا لقب فئة تحت 15 عاما، وجاء مواطنه صالح أشكناني في المركز الثاني.
وفي فئة تحت 13 عاما، حصد الماليزي إيمان ديلان سعدان المركز الأول فيما حل الكويتي صقر الكندري ثانيا، بينما فاز السعودي عبدالله بن بخيت بلقب فئة تحت 11 عاما، وجاء الكويتي عدنان الشمري في المركز الثاني.
وقال سعد المهندي مدير البطولة، في تصريح له: لقد شهدت مستويات فنية قوية بين اللاعبين في مختلف الفئات العمرية، مؤكدا أهمية هذه البطولة في صقل مواهب اللاعبين الناشئين ومنحهم فرصة لاكتساب الخبرة.
وأكد المهندي أن الاتحاد سيواصل العمل على استضافة وتنظيم البطولات التي تسهم في تعزيز حضور رياضة الإسكواش وتوسيع قاعدة ممارسيها، إلى جانب منح اللاعبين القطريين بمختلف فئاتهم السنية فرصا أكبر للاحتكاك.