Islamic Solidarity Games: Iran claims futsal gold, volleyball wins for Turkiye’s men and women

RIYADH: The Iranian national team took the futsal gold medal at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games, defeating Morocco 5–0 in the final at Riyad’s Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex.

In the bronze medal match, Uzbekistan edged Saudi Arabia 6–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the battle for bronze.

The futsal tournament, which began on Nov. 4, featured teams from Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Iran, Tajikistan, and Libya, marking the first official competition of Riyadh 2025.

Swimming champions crowned by Fahd bin Jalawi

Prince Fahd bin Jalawi, chairman of the games’ Supreme Organizing Committee, awarded medals to the winners of the 200m freestyle swimming competition.

Turkiye’s Ahmet Meti Buyukoglu clinched gold, with Ilia Sibirtsev (UZB) taking silver and Mohammad Ghasemi (IRI) the bronze.

In the women’s 200m freestyle, gold went to Ecem Donmez Ogretir (TUR), Gloria Anna Muzito (UGA) taking silver. Ogretir’s compatriot, Defne Tanig, was in third and won bronze.

Saudi swimmer Zaid Al-Sarraj won the men’s 100m freestyle gold, ahead of Ali Thamer Hassan (QAT) and fellow Saudi Emad Zaben, while in the women’s event, Gloria Anna Muzito (UGA) took gold, Gizem Guvenc (TUR) earned silver, and Oumy Diop (SEN) claimed bronze.

Turkiye also secured gold in both the men’s and women’s 4×100m medley relay events, with Kazakhstan and Indonesia taking silver and bronze in the men’s race, and Indonesia and Algeria completing the women’s podium.

Egypt and Kazakhstan dominate weightlifting

Egyptian and Kazakh lifters shared the spotlight in Tuesday’s weightlifting events held at Boulevard Riyadh City.

Rahma Elsayed (EGY) took gold in both the snatch and total, and bronze in the clean and jerk