Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)

If there was any hope among the UAE's neighbouring countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council that the runaway leaders of the Gulf Youth Games will step off the pedal in accumulating medals, they were proven the opposite.

Emirati athletes went from strength to strength even as others are trying hard to catch up as the UAE notched 37 medals on the 12th day of the competition, the highest number of medals gained in a single day, since the event's start on April 16. The hosts secured 18 medals in karate, 10 in swimming, four in judo, three in archery, and two in cycling.

Their overall tally now stands at 231 medals, comprising 73 gold, 86 silver, and 72 bronze. Saudi Arabia also saw an increase in their medal count, reaching 93 in total, with 40 gold, 33 silver, and 20 bronze. Kuwait followed closely behind in third place with 89 medals, including 23 gold, 31 silver, and 35 bronze.

Bahrain secured fourth place with 57 medals, boasting 19 gold, 15 silver, and 23 bronze. Qatar advanced to fifth place with 42 medals, consisting of 17 gold, 10 silver, and 15 bronze. Oman secured sixth place with 46 medals, comprising 17 gold, 10 silver, and 19 bronze.

On the opening day of the karate competitions, the UAE karate team showcased remarkable prowess, clinching 18 medals and claiming the top spot in the standings. Their haul comprised five gold, seven silver, and six bronze medals. Kuwait followed closely behind, securing the runner-up position with 10 medals, including three gold, one silver, and six bronze.

Saudi Arabia settled for third place with six medals, consisting of two gold, two silver, and two bronze, while Qatar secured fourth place with one bronze medal.Hitting the right targets, the archers of the UAE sealed three gold medals in the team competitions held at the Sharjah Police Club. These victories set the stage for their anticipated presence on the podiums in the individual and mixed competitions.

There were two gold medals from the males and females in the recurve bow U-18 category, while the Under-15 girls also added another in the recurve bow category.

Adel Al Hammadi, the Games' technical committee chairman, confirmed that the closing competitions would witness the crowning of winners in 13 categories. The organisers prioritised completing the team tournaments, with individual and mixed tournaments scheduled for the final day, culminating in the crowning of the champion individuals.

The UAE's judo team also made a mark in the competitions held at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, as they clinched four medals, including one gold, by Saif Al Hammadi (-60kg), and three silver.The Saudi team also performed admirably, securing three medals, including two gold and a silver.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti team clinched four medals, consisting of one gold and three bronze. The UAE riders grabbed two medals, gold and silver, in the individual time trial for the youth category in cycling competitions, marking a successful conclusion of the event at Al Hudayriat Island.

UAE's Hareb Khamis Al Marzouqi secured the gold medal in the individual youth time trial race covering a distance of 20 km, completing the course in 25 minutes and 21.83 seconds. His compatriot Khaled Al Nuaimi followed with a time of 25:52.73 minutes. The bronze medal went to Bahrain's Mahdi Hassan Jawad.

Despite the UAE having a splash, the pool at Mohammed bin Zayed Sports City is where they have not been able to strike gold, except one. With one gold, five silver and four bronze medals, the UAE is in fifth behind Qatar with 10 medals. Qatar lead the swimming competitions with 11 medals but these include five golds. Kuwait has four of eight medals in the gold type.

Saudi Arabia beat the UAE in electronic football in Dubai to take the gold. UAE boys did well to tale silver, ahead of Kuwait. The UAE table tennis team secured four bronze medals. They clinched third place in both the young men's and women's team competitions.

As the table tennis competitions drew to a close, Bahrain emerged atop the medals tally with an impressive haul of three golds, two silvers, and three bronzes. Following closely behind was Qatar with three golds, one silver, and two bronzes, while Kuwait secured third place with three silver medals.

UAE stood in fourth position, celebrating their four bronze medals, while Oman rounded up the rankings with a solitary bronze. On the opening day of the 3x3 basketball competitions held at the Al Thiqa Club Hall for the Disabled in Sharjah, the girls' matches saw the Kuwaiti team triumph over the UAE team (A) 18-6.

Following that, the Saudi Arabia secured a victory against the UAE team (B) 21-8. The UAE team (A) bounced back in their encounter against UAE (B), winning 8-4.

In individual billiards (9-ball) competition, UAE's Mohammed Al Jasmi advanced to the semi-finals. Al Jasmi is set to face off against Saudi player Khaled Al Ghamdi in the semi-final, with the winner progressing to the final to compete against the victor of the match between Bahraini siblings Haider and Hussein Marum.