Mariam Kareem won the women’s 400m gold at the Oman Athletics Grand Prix
Mariam Kareem of the United Arab Emirates led a dominant continental showcase in Muscat, capturing a brilliant victory in the women’s 400m final at the inaugural Oman Athletics Grand Prix on Saturday night, September 5, 2026. Hosted at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, the landmark event marked the nation’s historic first appearance on the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze calendar, drawing roughly 300 elite international competitors from over 40 countries.
Under the stadium floodlights, the quarter-mile event developed into a masterclass in pace execution and speed endurance. Kareem, showcasing flawless technical mechanics and late-season form, exploded out of the blocks to quickly eat up the stagger on her outside competitors. As the pack navigated the final bend into the home straightaway, Kareem unlocked an extra gear, breaking away from the field to stop the clock in a blazing 52.15 seconds to claim the gold medal and establish the inaugural meeting record.
The race behind the newly crowned champion turned into a fierce battle of attrition as the athletes fought through heavy evening air. Fellow Emirati standout Aminat Kamarudeen delivered a spectacular performance of her own, executing a strong tactical finish to secure the silver medal and lock up a dominant 1-2 sweep for the United Arab Emirates. Rounding out the podium, Sufian Abdulghani fought valiantly over the final 50 meters, digging deep to edge out a charging field and capture the bronze medal.
The stellar performances in the women’s 400m final carry massive strategic weight for regional athletics, acting as a crucial barometer of speed ahead of the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. By staging a world-class quarter-mile final, the Grand Prix successfully met the twin goals of the Oman Athletics Association—elevating local hosting standards while providing a high-stakes, competitive platform for West Asian and international sprinters alike.
The top five was completed by Ezza Nael Nasser, who clocked 54.45 sec, and Aisha Muhammed, who finished in 54.89 sec.
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