Maldivian athletes competing in the 2019 Asian Athletics Championship ongoing in Doha, Qatar, have made significant strides.

Hussain Fazeel set a new national record, the third he has set, for the 10-kilometre run, while Hassan Saaid is to go on to the semi-final after his 100-metre dash on Sunday.

Fazeel finished the 10-kilometre run in 32:46 minutes. He first set the national record in 2017, having completed the 10-kilometre run in 34:21, breaking a record set in 1989. Fazeel set a new record again in 2018, having completed the 10-kilometre run in 33:34 minutes.

Saaid completed the 100-metre dash in the first heat in 10.47 seconds.

Fazeel will next compete in the 5-kilometre run, while Saaid will compete in the 100-metre and 400-metre relay.

A total of 63 countries are participating in the Asian Athletics Championship this year.