UAE’s Salma makes history, wins gold at Arab Athletics U-18 Championship

In a groundbreaking moment for Emirati sports, 16-year-old Salma Haitham Al Marri etched her name in history by winning the first-ever women’s athletics gold medal for the UAE in international participation.

Competing in the hammer throw event at the Arab Athletics U-18 Championship in Tunisia (August 23–27), Salma not only claimed victory but also set a new personal milestone, highlighting her as one of the brightest rising stars in regional athletics.

Facing fierce competition, Salam delivered a spectacular throw of 55.78 meters, a personal best that placed her ahead of African champion Aya Imran.

This victory adds to her growing reputation as a trailblazer for Emirati women in athletics, where she continues to push the boundaries of what has been achieved on the international stage.

Her path to this historic gold has been built on consistent dedication and success. Earlier this year, Salma competed at an international championship in Slovenia, where she recorded a throw of 49.02 meters, surpassing the longstanding UAE national record of 44.6 meters across junior, youth, and women’s categories. With that, she not only raised the standard for Emirati athletics but also positioned herself as a serious contender on the global stage.

This latest win in Tunisia raises her medal tally with the UAE national team to three international podium finishes in throwing events—following a gold and silver at the 2024 Gulf Championships.

On the club level, she has dominated with 13 medals for Abu Dhabi Athletics Club, including 12 golds and one silver, underscoring her consistency and strength as a competitor.

Speaking after her victory, Salma expressed deep gratitude to the UAE’s leadership for its unwavering support of youth and sports, describing their encouragement as a source of strength and inspiration.

“The support of our wise leadership motivates me to work harder, to win more international titles, and to raise the UAE flag proudly on victory podiums,” she said.

Looking ahead, Salma is already setting her sights on the West Asia Championship from October 2 to 5, which she views as another stepping stone in her young but already remarkable career. With each competition, she gains not only medals but also valuable experience that could pave the way for her participation in future continental and global events, including the dream of representing the UAE on the Olympic stage.

Salam’s journey is more than just personal triumph—it represents a landmark moment for Emirati women’s sports.

By breaking barriers and setting new records, she is inspiring a new generation of young female athletes in the UAE to pursue excellence in track and field, a sport where the country is steadily beginning to leave its mark.

As she continues to grow in skill and confidence, Salma is not just collecting medals—she is building a legacy that could transform the landscape of athletics in the UAE and the wider Arab region.

Emirati riders bag six medals at Track Asia Cup: The UAE national cycling team concluded their participation in the Track Asia Cup, held in the Thai capital Bangkok, by achieving an unprecedented milestone: six medals in total — three gold and three silver.

This outstanding performance marks the best-ever achievement in the UAE’s history of participation in the prestigious continental championship, underscoring the rapid progress and growing strength of Emirati cycling on the Asian stage.

The star of the team, Mohammed Al-Mutawaei, delivered a brilliant performance by winning two gold medals — the first in the omnium races and the second in the individual pursuit. Meanwhile, Youssef Amiri added to the UAE’s golden tally by securing the gold medal in the individual pursuit, highlighting the team’s depth and rising talent.

This landmark success reflects the dedication of the athletes and the support provided to cycling in the UAE, serving as a major boost for the sport as the team continues to prepare for future continental and international competitions.