UAE Achieves Record-Breaking Success with 13 Medals at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

The UAE's athletes returned from Japan on Monday having delivered the country's best performance at any Asian Games. Competing at the Games in Aichi-Nagoya, the UAE secured 13 medals, including a record seven golds, surpassing their previous best performance set at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou three years ago. Overall, the UAE finished 13th in the medals table out of 45 nations.

“Winning seven gold medals for the first time in the history of the UAE’s participation in the Asian Games is a proud achievement for the country. It reflects the determination of our athletes and their ambition to raise the UAE flag among Asia’s leading sporting nations,” said Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, president of the UAE Olympic Committee.

“Every medal represents years of preparation, sacrifice and hard work by the athletes, their coaches, support teams and national federations. This achievement belongs to everyone who has contributed to the development of UAE sport.”

Jiu-Jitsu

Five of the UAE's seven gold medals came in jiu-jitsu, a discipline the country has invested heavily in over the past two decades. The ancient Japanese martial art is part of the public school curriculum and is taught at police cadet academies across the country, ensuring its popularity will continue to grow.

The UAE's strong performance in the discipline was led by Balqees Al Hashmi (women’s 48kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (men’s 62kg), Ahmed Andeez (men’s 69kg), Mahdi Al Awlaqi (men’s 77kg) and Asma Al Hosani (women’s 52kg). Al Anoud Al Harbi (women’s 48kg) and Omar Al Suwaidi (men’s 62kg) won silver, while Amaar Al Hosani (men’s 94kg) claimed bronze. Al Shehhi and Al Hosani have now won golds at successive Asian Games.

“I am proud to have won my second consecutive title on my second Asian Games appearance. This is an important milestone in my career. I dedicate this gold to the UAE’s leadership, my family, my coach and my national teammates. This medal is the start of a long journey of hard work,” Al Shehhi said.

Shihab Ahmed Mohamed Abdulrahim Al Faheem, UAE ambassador to Japan, dedicated the UAE jiu-jitsu players' success to the country's leadership, noting that the results stemmed from careful planning, consistent work, and the collective efforts of athletes, coaches, and administrative staff.

Athletics

The UAE's first gold medal of the Games was won by teenager Mariam Kareem, who triumphed in the women's 400m hurdles final. The 18-year-old set an Asian Games record time of 54.31 seconds.

“Mariam Kareem’s gold medal was an exceptional achievement. To win the 400m hurdles in an Asian Games record and a new Asian U20 record at such a young age demonstrates the extraordinary talent and potential she possesses,” said Major General Dr Mohammed Abdullah Al Murr, president of the UAE Athletics Federation.

Kareem's gold came just two days after another Emirati teenager, Sulaiman Abdulrahman, secured the country's first medal at Aichi-Nagoya by winning silver in the men's 400m final, finishing narrowly behind Thailand's Joshua Atkinson.

Equestrian

The UAE concluded their Asian Games campaign on Sunday with a second silver medal in equestrian. Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi and Hudson de Vains claimed individual silver following a dramatic three-way jump-off at JRA Equestrian Park in Tokyo.

In the team final, the Emirates narrowly missed out on gold. Represented by Sheikha Latifah bint Ahmed Al Maktoum, Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi, Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi and Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi, the UAE produced five clears across two rounds to secure silver ahead of host nation Japan. For Sheikha Latifa, it marked her fourth Asian Games medal across three editions.

Judo

The UAE also claimed a gold medal in judo through Kazbek Naguchev in the men's under-73kg category. UAE Judo Federation president Mohamed bin Thaaloob Al Derei praised the collective effort behind the victory, dedicating the achievement to the UAE's leadership and emphasizing continued development for the sport.