Double delight for marvel Maryam in women's 1500m

Bahrain's Maryam Yusuf Jamal sped ahead of the field to easily win the women's 1500m and make it a remarkable double Doha 2006 gold having taken the 800m crown on 9 December.

The metric-mile winner started as overwhelming favourite having run consistently under 4:00.00 this season, but achieved her victory in a relatively slow time of 4:08.63, to take Bahrain's seventh track medal of the Games.

Yurkio Kobayashi, celebrating her 18th birthday, claimed silver although she finished six seconds behind Jamal with time of 4:14.96 and just in front of India's Sinimole Pualose who clocked 4:15.09 to take bronze.

"The competition was easy. I expected to win," said Jamal afterwards. "I won because of my training. I normally run 120km to 150km a week."

On winning double gold, she added: "I achieved my aim, I am happy. This is what I wanted to do."

Silver medallist Kobasyashi commented: "I tried to break my personal record and I was trying to win a medal too. There was a big gap to the runner ahead. I didn't panic, I managed to concentrate and keep my own pace. I turned 18 today. I'm glad I could give myself such a great present. I feel great."

Pualulose was also delighted to take a bronze medal: "I am happy I won the medal, but I have to improve in all areas to compete with beautiful world class champions like Jamal. I have to convert myself like a machine and train more to compete with Jamal She is very impressive."

15th Asian Games, Doha 2006