UAE athletes grab 18 medals in taekwondo competition at Gulf Youth Games. UAE Girl's team at the Gulf Youth Games. UAE NOC

The Gulf Youth Games Taekwondo competitions kicked off with great enthusiasm, with 124 male and female competitors taking part. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, the President of the UAE Taekwondo Federation graced the occasion in the presence of the heads of other Gulf federations.

Asserting their authority on home soil, the UAE topped the medals table with an impressive total of 18, including four gold, 11 silver, and three bronze on the opening day. Kuwait secured 16 medals, with seven gold, two silver, and seven bronze, while Saudi Arabia claimed nine (three gold, four silver, and two bronze), and Oman sealed five medals (four gold and one silver).

Among the standout performances for the UAE was Maitha Rashid's triumph in the women's under-44kg category, while Marwa Zuhair showed her prowess in the under-47kg division. Sharifa Ismail showed remarkable skill in the under-55 kg weight category, while Nasser Ahmed Al Muhairi added to the national glory in the men's under-49kg category.

UAE girls' team at the Gulf Youth Games. UAE NOC
UAE girls' team at the Gulf Youth Games. UAE NOC

Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi expressed his delight at the start of the sports competitions in Fujairah and extended a warm welcome to the GCC delegations. He highlighted the meticulous preparations made by the UAE National Olympic Committee for the success of this first edition of the Youth Gulf Games hosted by the country.

Nasser Ahmed Al Muhairi, the winning athlete in the under 49kg category, expressed his delight and dedicated his gold medal to the leadership of the National Olympic Committee, the Taekwondo Federation, and his fellow national team members.