The first Gulf Youth Games in the UAE saw the host nation win a total of 18 medals in taekwondo, including four golds.
Held at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah, approximately 3,500 participants competed in 24 different disciplines during the tournament, which had a theme of ‘Our Gulf is One – Our Youth is Promising’, ensuring an exciting experience for both athletes and spectators. Along with the leaders of other Gulf federations, Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, President of the UAE Taekwondo Federation, was present at the event.
The first day was fiercely competitive, with 70 matches taking place for each gender in 10 weight divisions
With 124 competitors, both male and female, the taekwondo competitions got underway with great energy. The first day was fiercely competitive, with 70 matches taking place for each gender in 10 weight divisions, with the UAE collecting four golds, 11 silvers, and three bronzes on its home soil. Oman won five medals (four gold and one silver), Saudi Arabia won nine (three gold, four silver, and two bronze), and Kuwait won 16 (seven gold, two silver, and seven bronze).
Amongst the standout performances for the UAE, Maitha Rashid carried the day in the junior women’s under-44 kg category, while Marwa Zuhair showcased her prowess in the under-47 kg division. Sharifa Ismail demonstrated remarkable skill in the under-55 kg weight category, while Nasser Ahmed Al Muhairi excelled in the junior men’s under-49 kg division, further adding to the nation’s success.