Rabat, Morocco - Morocco's Mohamed Moustaoui and Mohamed Al Salhi of Saudi Arabia confirmed their fine early season middle distance form after their wins in the 1500 and 800 metres at the Meeting de Rabat, the fifth stop of the African Athletics Confederation (CAA) Grand Prix on Saturday (17) at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.

Al Salhi, who produced a world-leading 1:44.40 performance at the Moroccan Olympic meeting in Rabat last Saturday on this same track, again displayed his fine early-season form.

Al Salhi, who trains with a group of Moroccan athletes in Rabat and Ifrane, won handily in 1:44.93, well ahead of Algerian Nabil Madi (1:46.12) and Tareq Boukensa (1:46.47).

As for the young promising Moroccan Moustaoui, who was fourth in the World Junior Championships in Grossetto in 2004 and the 1500 winner in Gateshead last weekend, won here in 3:38.75. Moustaoui beat back the challenge of compatriot Said Doulal, a junior athlete coached by Abdelkader Kada, who reached the finish in 3:39.31. Algeria's Kamal Boulahfane was third (3:39.48).

Moroccans Khalid El Amri and Abdelkader Hachlaf produced fine early season performances as well, with their 7:42.52 and 8:16.24 victories in the 3000 and 3000m Steeplechase, respectively.

The women's events featured a middle and long distance sweep for the hosts. Seltana Ait Hammou won the 800 in 2:01.09, nearly two seconds ahead of Frenchwoman Elisabeth Grouselle (2:02.92), Saida El Mehdi won the 1500 over compatriot Bouchra Chaabi 4:08.83 to 4:09.45, and Meryem Alaoui Selsouli ran away with the 3000 in 8:53.47, more than 10 seconds clear of Hanane Ouhadou.

Several sporting personalities were guests at the competition, including Olympic champions Nawal El Moutawakel, Brahim Boutayeb and Hicham El Guerrouj, as well as the two-time world champion in the 400m Hurdles, Nezha Bidouane. Also in attendence were Aberrahman Zidouh, Secretary General of the National Sector of Sport, IAAF Competitions Directro Sandrio Giovanelli, as well as a delgation from Special Olympics International, who are currently on a visit to Morocco.

Athletes from 26 countries competed at the second-to-last CAA Grand Prix event of 2006. Algiers will host the final meeting on 22 June.

Mohammed Benchrif for the IAAF

Click here for FULL RESULTS

Top Results:

MEN -

200m:
 1. Yahya Berrabah  (MAR)      21.15
 2. Andre Dasilva (BRA)        21.32
 3. Aziz Ouhadi (MAR)          21.73

400m:
 1. Ismail Daif (MAR)          46.65
 2. Abdelkarim Khoudri (MAR)   46.81
 3. Ismail Belkaifa (MAR)      47.58

800m:.
 1. Mohamed Al Salhi (KSA)     1:44.93
 2. Nabil Madi (ALG)           1:46.12
 3. Tareq Boukensa (ALG)       1:46.47

1500m:
 1. Mohamed Moustaoui (MAR)    3:38.75
 2. Said Doulal (MAR)          3:39.31
 3. Kamel Boulahfane (ALG)     3:39.48

3000m :
 1. Khalid El Amri (MAR)       7:42.52
 2. Ahmed Baday (MAR)          7:45.98
 3. Anis Selmouni (MAR)        7:47.68

5000m:
 1. Ismael Adam Khamis (BHR)   13:35.48
 2. Leonard Komon (KEN)        13:37.34
 3. Tadesse Tolla (ETH)        13:52.05

3000m steeplechase:
 1. Abdelkader Hachlaf (MAR)    8:16.24
 2. Brahim Taleb (MAR)          8:17.93
 3. Ali Ezzine (MAR)            8:19.37

Long Jump:
 1. Issam Nima (ALG)         8.05m
 2. Yahya Berrabah (MAR)     7.70m
 3. Tariq Bougtaib (MAR)     7.69m

Triple Jump:
 1. Allen Simms (PUR)       16.83m
 2. Tariq Bougtaib (MAR)    16.78m
 3. Younes Moudrik (MAR)    16.62m

Discus:
 1. Stefano Lomater (ITA)   58.77m
 2. Grasu Mihai (ROM)       56.24m
 3. Nabil Kirame (MAR)      51.63m

WOMEN -

200m:
 1. Fabe Dia (FRA)   23.78
 2. Nadjima Kaltouma (CHA)    24.06
 3. Koita Ya Soucko (Mli)     25.17
 
800m:
 1. Seltana Ait Hammou (MAR)    2:01.09
 2. Elisabeth Grousselle (FRA)  2:02.92
 3. Halima Hachlaf (MAR)        2:07.31

1500m:
 1. Saida El Mehdi (MAR)   4:08.83
 2. Bouchra Chaabi (MAR)   4:09.45
 3. Latifa Essaroukh (FRA) 4:09.54
 
3000m:
 1. Meryem Alaoui Selsouli (MAR)   8:53.47
 2. Hanane Ouhadou (MAR)           9:04.46
 3. Gladys Kipkemboi (KEN)         9:08.22

400m Hurdles:
 1. Alena Rucklova (CZE)                56.69
 2. Isabelle Morandais Sylvanie (FRA)   57.22
 3. Houria  Moussa (ALG)                57.48
 
Triple Jump:
 1. Alina Poposcu (ROM)           13.63m
 2. Livia Pruteanu (ROM)          13.56m
 3. Koita Ya Soucko (MLI)         12.79m

Hammer:
 1. Clarissa Clretti (ITA)    68.38m
 2. Hayat El Ghazi (MAR)      59.79m
 3. Karima Chahine (MAR)      56.27m