By OCA Young Reporter Zaynab Kawtharani
Nagoya, Japan, September 17, 2026: Lebanon’s Mohamad Hafez and Ahmad Arabi bounced back from an opening defeat to secure two consecutive victories in the men’s doubles teqball competition at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games on Thursday, advancing to the semifinals.
The Lebanese pair began their campaign against Iraq, suffering a defeat in their opening match.
Still adjusting to the conditions and coming into the match without having completed their warm-up as they would have liked, Lebanon struggled to find its rhythm early on and was unable to secure the result.
The team quickly recovered in its following match against Lao PDR, producing a stronger performance to claim victory and regain momentum.
Lebanon then faced Viet Nam in a decisive match, where Hafez and Arabi delivered a confident performance to secure a 2–0 victory and book their place in the semifinals.
For Arabi, the team’s response after the opening defeat reflected its confidence and determination to compete for a medal.
“We were and are confident that we are going to win a medal,” said Arabi.
“I would like to dedicate it to my country, because today I am raising the name of Lebanon,” he said.
The Lebanese pair will now continue their campaign in the semi-finals, carrying the momentum of two consecutive victories and aiming to secure a place in the final.