Mohammad Al-Azemi
Encyclopedia
Mohammad Mutlak Khalif Al-Azemi (Arabic
: محمد خلف العازمي ; born 16 June 1982) is a Kuwait
i middle distance runner who specialises in the 800 metres
. His 800 m personal bests of 1:44.13 minutes outdoors and 1:48.93 minutes indoors are the Kuwaiti record
s for the event. He represented his nation at the Olympic Games
in 2004 and 2008, and has also made three appearances at the World Championships in Athletics (2005, 2007, 2009).
After a successful career as a youth, he rose to become one of Asia's best middle-distance runners. He was the silver medallist at the 2006 Asian Games
and is a three-time Asian Indoor Games
medallist. He became the Asian Indoor champion
in 2010 and then completed an 800 m/1500 metres
double at the 2011 Asian Athletics Championships
.
, he was successful in athletics from a young age and won the national under-14 cross country
title for his club, Qadsia SC, in 1993. Given his natural talent, he was afforded special support from the Kuwaiti Athletic Federation. He achieved his first international medal at the 1998 Pan Arab Junior Athletics Championships, taking the 800 metres
bronze medal
. Further success came the following year as he took third in the event at the 1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics
then won the silver medal
at the Asian Junior Athletics Championships
. His 2000 and 2001 seasons were disrupted by his need to focus on studying for his high school
exams, but he still managed to win the gold medal
at the Gulf Cooperation Council Championships, finish runner-up at the Arab Junior Championships, and win the 2001 Asian Junior bronze.
Illness affected him in 2002, as dust in his home nation was causing him difficulties in training. As a result, he began training abroad instead and a partnership with a new coach, Algerian Abdelkarim Bensaid, saw Al-Azemi achieve Kuwaiti records
in 2003. Making his first global appearance at senior level, he ran at the 2003 IAAF World Indoor Championships
and set a national record of 1:50.41 minutes. His outdoor season peaked in Budapest
when he ran an outright national record time of 1:47.44 minutes. He ran again at the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships
and achieved a personal best in the outdoor season, running 1:45.25 minutes in Algiers
. This was enough to gain him a place on the Kuwaiti Olympic team
for the 2004 Athens Olympics
, where he ran in the heats stage.
Despite injuries, his career reached new heights in 2005. He was fourth at the Islamic Solidarity Games
and ran a season's best of 1:46.67 minutes for fifth at the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships. Al-Azemi reached the semi-finals of the 800 m at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics
and ended the year with a bronze medal at the 2005 Asian Indoor Games
. He changed coaching staff to Jama Aden in December and the training had quick results, as he ran a national record of 1:44.80 min to win at the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix
. He improved it further to 1:44.13 min with a win on the 2006 IAAF Golden League
circuit at the Bislett Games
and had his best run of the year at the Athens Grand Prix Tsiklitiria
(1:44.13 min). A close duel with Youssef Saad Kamel
at the 2006 Asian Games
was the highlight of the year – even though the Kenyan-born runner defeated him he was the silver medallist in the event.
Al-Azemi had his best run of 2007 at the Tsiklitiria meet, running 1:44.55 min, and also won the 800 m at the Bislett Games. He missed the Asian Championships that year, but again reached the semi-finals on the global stage, although he finished last in his race at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics
. He gave a national indoor and Games record performance at the 2007 Asian Indoor Games
to win his first title at on Asian-level competition. After running 1:45.79 min in Casablanca
in June 2008 and was chosen to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
. He reached the Olympic 800 m semi-finals, but was again last in his race on the world stage.
In 2009, he won the Gulf and Kuwaiti 800 m titles and had a series of wins on the Asian Athletics Grand Prix circuit. On his third consecutive appearance at the World Championships
, he was ousted in the heats stage. He was second at the 2009 Arab Athletics Championships and in November he went on to claim the silver medal at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games
in an indoor Kuwaiti record of 1:48.93 minutes. The Asian Indoor winner Sajjad Moradi
also left Al-Azemi in the runner-up spot at the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships
in Guangzhou
. In Moradi's absence, however, he won the gold medal at the 2010 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships
. This gained him a berth for the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships
, but he was eliminated in the first round. He attempted to reach the podium at the 2010 Asian Games
, but was in poor form and ended up in sixth.
At the 2011 Asian Athletics Championships
, he beat regional rival Sajjad Moradi in both the 800 m and the 1500 metres
events to complete an Asian title double.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
: محمد خلف العازمي ; born 16 June 1982) is a Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
i middle distance runner who specialises in the 800 metres
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
. His 800 m personal bests of 1:44.13 minutes outdoors and 1:48.93 minutes indoors are the Kuwaiti record
Kuwaiti records in athletics
The following are the national records in athletics in Kuwait maintained by Kuwait Amateur Athletic Federation .-Men:-Women:-Men:-Women:ht = hand timing-External links:...
s for the event. He represented his nation at the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
in 2004 and 2008, and has also made three appearances at the World Championships in Athletics (2005, 2007, 2009).
After a successful career as a youth, he rose to become one of Asia's best middle-distance runners. He was the silver medallist at the 2006 Asian Games
2006 Asian Games
The 15th Asian Games, officially known as the XV Asiad, is Asia's Olympic-style sporting event that was held in Doha, Qatar from December 1 to December 15, 2006. Doha was the first city in its region and only the second in West Asia to host the games...
and is a three-time Asian Indoor Games
Asian Indoor Games
The Asian Indoor Games is a multi-sport event held every two years among athletes representing countries from Asia. The games are regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia. The first games were held in 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand....
medallist. He became the Asian Indoor champion
Asian Indoor Athletics Championships
The Asian Indoor Athletics Championships were held for the first time in 2004. Run by the Asian Athletics Association, the championships take place biennially in different cities all over Asia.-Editions:-All-time medal count:- External links :*...
in 2010 and then completed an 800 m/1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
double at the 2011 Asian Athletics Championships
2011 Asian Athletics Championships
The 19th Asian Athletics Championships were held in Kobe, Japan between July 7–10, 2011 at the Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium. The tournament had 507 athletes from forty Asian nations competing in the 42 track and field events over the four-day competition....
.
Career
Born in Kuwait CityKuwait City
-Suburbs:Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:Al-Salam ""السلام"" -Economy:...
, he was successful in athletics from a young age and won the national under-14 cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
title for his club, Qadsia SC, in 1993. Given his natural talent, he was afforded special support from the Kuwaiti Athletic Federation. He achieved his first international medal at the 1998 Pan Arab Junior Athletics Championships, taking the 800 metres
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
. Further success came the following year as he took third in the event at the 1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics
1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics
The 1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics was the first edition of the World Youth Championships in Athletics. It was held in Bydgoszcz, Poland from July 16 to July 18, 1999.-Boys:-Girls:-Medals table:...
then won the silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
at the Asian Junior Athletics Championships
Asian Junior Athletics Championships
The Asian Junior Athletics Championships are the Asian championships open for those of age according to junior. It is currently organized by the Asian Athletics Association.-Editions:-Men's records:-Women's records:-References:...
. His 2000 and 2001 seasons were disrupted by his need to focus on studying for his high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
exams, but he still managed to win the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
at the Gulf Cooperation Council Championships, finish runner-up at the Arab Junior Championships, and win the 2001 Asian Junior bronze.
Illness affected him in 2002, as dust in his home nation was causing him difficulties in training. As a result, he began training abroad instead and a partnership with a new coach, Algerian Abdelkarim Bensaid, saw Al-Azemi achieve Kuwaiti records
Kuwaiti records in athletics
The following are the national records in athletics in Kuwait maintained by Kuwait Amateur Athletic Federation .-Men:-Women:-Men:-Women:ht = hand timing-External links:...
in 2003. Making his first global appearance at senior level, he ran at the 2003 IAAF World Indoor Championships
2003 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 9th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics were held in the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, UK from 14 March to 16 March 2003. It was the first time the Championships had been held in the UK...
and set a national record of 1:50.41 minutes. His outdoor season peaked in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
when he ran an outright national record time of 1:47.44 minutes. He ran again at the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships
2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 10th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations were held in the Budapest Arena, Hungary between March 5 and March 7, 2004...
and achieved a personal best in the outdoor season, running 1:45.25 minutes in Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
. This was enough to gain him a place on the Kuwaiti Olympic team
Kuwait at the Olympics
Kuwait has competed in 10 Summer Games. They have never competed in the Winter Games.In the 1992 Barcelona Games, Kuwait received a bronze medal in taekwondo. It was only a demonstration sport that year so the medal was not official....
for the 2004 Athens Olympics
Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics
At the 2004 Summer Olympics, the athletics events were held at the Athens Olympic Stadium from August 18 to August 29, except for the marathons , the race walks , and the shot put...
, where he ran in the heats stage.
Despite injuries, his career reached new heights in 2005. He was fourth at the Islamic Solidarity Games
Athletics at the 2005 Islamic Solidarity Games
Athletics were contested at the 2005 Islamic Solidarity Games in Mecca, Saudi Arabia from April 12 to April 16, 2005.-Medal summary:-Medal table:-References:*...
and ran a season's best of 1:46.67 minutes for fifth at the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships. Al-Azemi reached the semi-finals of the 800 m at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics
2005 World Championships in Athletics
The 10th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations , were held in the Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland , the site of the first IAAF World Championships in 1983. One theme of the 2005 championships was paralympic sports, some of...
and ended the year with a bronze medal at the 2005 Asian Indoor Games
Indoor athletics at the 2005 Asian Indoor Games
Indoor athletics at the 2005 Asian Indoor Games was held in Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand from 13 November to 15 November 2005.-Men:-Women:-Medal table:-References:*...
. He changed coaching staff to Jama Aden in December and the training had quick results, as he ran a national record of 1:44.80 min to win at the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix
Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix
The Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix is an annual athletics event at the Qatar SC Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Previously one of the five IAAF Super Grand Prix events, it is now part of the IAAF Diamond League. It was first organized in 1997.-Men:-Women:...
. He improved it further to 1:44.13 min with a win on the 2006 IAAF Golden League
2006 IAAF Golden League
The 2006 Golden League was the 9th edition of the IAAF's annual series of six athletics meets, held across Europe, with athletes having the chance to win the Golden League Jackpot of $1 million.-Programme:- Men :- Women :-External links:*...
circuit at the Bislett Games
Bislett Games
The Bislett Games is an annual track and field event at the Bislett Stadion in Oslo, Norway. Previously one of the IAAF Golden League events, it is now part of the IAAF Diamond League. It is sponsored by ExxonMobil and officially known as the ExxonMobil Bislett Games.-History:The first...
and had his best run of the year at the Athens Grand Prix Tsiklitiria
Athens Grand Prix Tsiklitiria
The Athens Grand Prix Tsiklitiria is an annual athletics event at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece as part of the IAAF World Challenge Meetings. It was first organized in 1963, held at the Panathinaiko Stadium...
(1:44.13 min). A close duel with Youssef Saad Kamel
Youssef Saad Kamel
Yusuf Saad Kamel , born Gregory Konchellah , was the 2009 world champion at 1500 meters, representing Bahrain after his switch from Kenya. He specializes in the 1500 metres and 800 metres. He was born in Narok, Kenya....
at the 2006 Asian Games
Athletics at the 2006 Asian Games
An Athletics competition was contested at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar from December 7 to December 12. Twenty-three events were contested for the men while 22 were on the slate for the women. Only the 3000 Meter Steeplechase was not contested for by the women...
was the highlight of the year – even though the Kenyan-born runner defeated him he was the silver medallist in the event.
Al-Azemi had his best run of 2007 at the Tsiklitiria meet, running 1:44.55 min, and also won the 800 m at the Bislett Games. He missed the Asian Championships that year, but again reached the semi-finals on the global stage, although he finished last in his race at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics
2007 World Championships in Athletics
The 11th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations , were held at Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan from 24 August to 2 September 2007...
. He gave a national indoor and Games record performance at the 2007 Asian Indoor Games
Indoor athletics at the 2007 Asian Indoor Games
Indoor athletics at the 2007 Asian Indoor Games was held in Macau East Asian Games Dome, Macau, China from 30 October to 1 November 2007.-Medal table:-Men:-Women:-60 metres:Round 1 – October 30Semi-final – October 30...
to win his first title at on Asian-level competition. After running 1:45.79 min in Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
in June 2008 and was chosen to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics were held during the last 10 days of the games, from August 15 to August 24, 2008, at the Beijing National Stadium. The Olympic sport of athletics is split into four distinct sets of events: track and field events, road running events, and racewalking...
. He reached the Olympic 800 m semi-finals, but was again last in his race on the world stage.
In 2009, he won the Gulf and Kuwaiti 800 m titles and had a series of wins on the Asian Athletics Grand Prix circuit. On his third consecutive appearance at the World Championships
2009 World Championships in Athletics
The 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics were held in Berlin, Germany from 15–23 August 2009. The majority of events took place in the Olympiastadion, while the marathon and racewalking events started and finished at the Brandenburg Gate....
, he was ousted in the heats stage. He was second at the 2009 Arab Athletics Championships and in November he went on to claim the silver medal at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games
Indoor athletics at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games
Indoor athletics at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games was held in My Dinh Indoor Athletics Gymnasium, Hanoi, Vietnam from 31 October to 2 November 2009....
in an indoor Kuwaiti record of 1:48.93 minutes. The Asian Indoor winner Sajjad Moradi
Sajjad Moradi
Sajjad Moradi is an Iranian middle distance runner who specializes in the 800 metres. He was born in Lordegan.He has a personal best of 1:44.74 in the 800 metres which is also the Iranian national record.- External links :...
also left Al-Azemi in the runner-up spot at the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships
2009 Asian Athletics Championships
The 18th Asian Athletics Championships were held in Guangzhou, China in 2009.- Track :- Field :- Track :- Field :- Medal table :-References:*. IAAF . Retrieved on 2011-07-09.*. IAAF . Retrieved on 2011-07-09....
in Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
. In Moradi's absence, however, he won the gold medal at the 2010 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships
2010 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships
The 2010 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, also known as the IV Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, was an international indoor athletics event took place in Tehran, Iran, between 24 and 26 February. This was the second edition to be hosted in the country as the first championships was also...
. This gained him a berth for the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships
2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics was held between 12 and 14 March at the ASPIRE Dome in Doha, Qatar. The championships was the first of six IAAF World Athletics Series events to take place in 2010.-Bidding and organisation:...
, but he was eliminated in the first round. He attempted to reach the podium at the 2010 Asian Games
Athletics at the 2010 Asian Games
Athletics at the 2010 Asian Games was held in Guangzhou, China from 21 to 27 November 2010. A total of 47 events were contested, 24 by men and 23 by women - matching the Olympic athletics programme...
, but was in poor form and ended up in sixth.
At the 2011 Asian Athletics Championships
2011 Asian Athletics Championships
The 19th Asian Athletics Championships were held in Kobe, Japan between July 7–10, 2011 at the Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium. The tournament had 507 athletes from forty Asian nations competing in the 42 track and field events over the four-day competition....
, he beat regional rival Sajjad Moradi in both the 800 m and the 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
events to complete an Asian title double.