UAE Shines at Asian Youth Games, Solidifying Arab Leadership with 27 Medals
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is celebrating a remarkable performance at the 3rd Asian Youth Games hosted in Bahrain. With the penultimate day of the competition drawing to a close, the Emirati team has amassed an impressive 27 medals, solidifying their position at the top of the Arab nations participating in the games. The event, which will conclude on Friday, has seen over 5,000 athletes from 45 countries compete across 19 different sports.
Jujitsu Success Fuels UAE Medal Haul
The UAE’s success was significantly boosted by the jujitsu team, which secured five medals on the second-to-last day of the competition. Saif Al Balushi won a gold medal in the 48 kg weight category. Aisha Al Junaibi clinched a silver medal in the 63 kg category. Ghala Al Hammadi, a rising star, took home a bronze in the 48 kg category, while Abdulaziz Al Aqidi earned a bronze in the 69 kg category, and Hanin Al Khouri secured a bronze in the 57 kg category.
Ghala Al Hammadi made history by becoming the first athlete to win medals in two different sports at the Asian Youth Games, having previously won a bronze medal in the mixed martial arts (MMA) competition. This achievement underscores the determination and excellence of Emirati women in the continental arena.
Badminton and Equestrian Events Contribute to Medal Tally
In badminton, Rayan Malhan added to the UAE’s medal count by securing a bronze medal in the singles competition. The UAE’s current tally of 27 medals includes 10 golds, 8 silvers, and 9 bronzes, placing them eighth overall in the standings. The UAE’s participation in the endurance race, where five riders – Issa Rashed Al Mazrouei, Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Bastaki, Ali Abdullah Al Falasi, Humaid Fahad Al Kaabi, and Khalifa Rashed Al Amimi – will compete, is anticipated to further boost their medal count.
Competition Standings and Regional Performance
China continues to lead the overall standings with 141 medals, followed by Uzbekistan with 79 medals and Kazakhstan with 92 medals. Host nation Bahrain is in thirteenth place, second among Arab countries, with 11 medals. Saudi Arabia is in sixteenth place, third among Arab countries, with 20 medals. Iraq is in seventeenth place, fourth among Arab countries, with 14 medals.
In the e-sports competition, the UAE team lost to Oman in the semi-finals of the Rocket League competition. The team was represented by Hilal Al Marri, Hamdan Al Marzouqi, Mohammed Al Hosani, and Nahyan Al Shehhi.
Source: Annahar
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