Today's Edition
DUBAI (Aletihad)
The Emirati boxing squad figuratively speaking stepped up for the UAE with their hands doing the talking at the Gulf Youth Games as the hosts demonstrated their dominance.
The boxers delivered a knockout performance on Day 8 of the event to bring home a haul of 17 medals over nine weight categories. This included six gold, four silver and seven bronze medals.
The UAE further extended its commanding lead in the medal standings. They now boast a total of 185 medals, including 64 gold, 65 silver, and 56 bronze. This count includes 30 medals claimed by both male and female athletes from the UAE national team in the Paralympic events, whose competitions wrapped up last Saturday.
Saudi Arabia maintained their second-place standing in the overall tally with a total of 61 medals, including four from boxing. Their breakup stood at 28 gold, 21 silver, and 12 bronze.
Kuwait also solidified their third-place position with four medals in boxing and also at the count of 61. The of 15 gold, 24 silver, and 22 bronze. Oman stayed in fourth-place with 39 medals (15 gold, 10 silver, and 14 bronze), while Bahrain claimed fifth place with 35 medals (nine gold, 10 silver, and 16 bronze). Qatar secured sixth place with 25 medals (10 gold, six silver, and nine bronze).
In the last week of the tournament, all participating countries will have opportunities to further augment their medal counts with competitions in archery, esports, swimming, and karate.
During the boxing competitions of the inaugural Gulf Youth Games UAE 2024, the Emirati national team emerged triumphant, securing the majority of victories. Held at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, the competitions concluded with the UAE team clinching 17 medals, thus claiming the top position in the final standings. Among these were six gold medals across nine weight categories, complemented by four silver and seven bronze medals.
Following closely, the Saudi team secured second place with two gold and two silver medals, while the Kuwait team earned third place with one gold medal and three silver medals. Qatar's team secured fourth place with two bronze medals.
At the Sharjah Racing and Equestrian Club, the Qatar equestrian team triumphed, seizing the gold medal in the show jumping competition. Saudi Arabian team clinched the silver medal, while UAE settled for bronze.
In the fourth-round matches of the volleyball tournament, Bahrain secured a 3-2 victory over UAE to consolidate their lead at the top while leaving the losers in fourth place, behind Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Saudi Arabia clinched the gold medal in the handball competition with a flawless record of four wins, including a decisive victory over Kuwait with a score of 32-22. This victory elevated their score to eight points before their final match against Qatar on Friday.
Meanwhile, Kuwait remained at six points and is positioned closest to securing the silver medal, having won three matches. Their last challenge will be against the UAE, who lost to Bahrain 24-28 and are on two points from one win. Bahrain increased their tally to four points.
Friday marks the start of e-sports events, archery, table tennis doubles and billiards competitions in Dubai while golf will commence in the capital at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Five teams of golfers, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, will be participating in the three-day event. More than 30 male and female players are vying for titles at both team and individual levels.
The Emirates Golf Federation has finalised a list of eight players, including Rashid Essam Al Jasmi, Mohammed Akram Skaik, Syed Rayan Ahmed, and Thomas Nesbit, while the young women's team includes Fi Al Balushi, Anka Matthew, and Jamie Kamer.
