Syrian athlete wins gold

Syrian athlete Fatima Rya Damascus - George Al Shami Syrian athlete, Fatima Rya has won a gold medal in the 2000-metre steeplechase at the Asia Youth Games championship in Nanjing, China. Rya won the race in 7.7.82 minutes, breaking the previous record 7.8.49 minutes. It was also the first medal for Syria in the ?Asian championship. Vietnam's Thi Mai Tran finished second with a time of 7.29.34 ?minutes. ? After the race, Rya thanked her coaching team for their continuous support, and said she's hopeful of building on her success at the Asia Games. The Syrian athlete has previously won the gold medal in the 2000m steeplechase in the second West ?Asia Championships in 2012, a silver medal in the 1500m of the same championship, and a gold medal ?in the 2000m steeplechase in the Sakha Olympics last year.