UAE’s Ketbi, Shawqi strike golds at Asian Youth Games in Bahrain

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team kicked off its campaign at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain with an impressive start, winning two medals – a gold and a silver – on the opening day.

Obaid Al Ketbi captured gold in the 56kg division, while teammate Salem Alqubaisi claimed silver in the 62kg category.

The event featured intense matchups and strong performances from across the continent, as the UAE athletes showcased their technical skill, composure, and determination to compete among Asia’s best.

The National Team delivered composed and disciplined performances, blending tactical awareness with high energy and focus. Their execution of the coaching team’s strategies, along with the benefits of their recent intensive training camp, was evident as they secured a well-earned place on the podium.

Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said the results highlight the team’s continued progress. “These victories are a reflection of the unwavering support of our wise leadership, which provides every opportunity for our athletes to succeed,” he said.

“They also underline the Federation’s focus on developing young talent and preparing the next generation of champions. We are equally proud of our partnership with Mubadala Investment Company, which continues to set an example in supporting sport and youth development.”

Gold medallist Al Ketbi said: “I’m proud of this achievement after months of hard training and preparation. The competition was tough, but our determination to make the UAE proud gave us the push we needed.”

Silver medallist Salem Alqubaisi added: “The level of competition was very high, but with strong preparation, guidance from our coaches, and encouragement from my teammates, I was able to perform well.

“It’s an honour to represent my country here, and I’m aiming for more success in the coming days.”

The jiu-jitsu events at the Asian Youth Games continue on Thursday with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team looking to build on its strong start and add more medals to its tally.

Earlier, UAE national team swimmer Hussain Shawqi captured the gold medal in the 50m butterfly with a time of 24.73 seconds, setting a new record for the event in the history of the Asian Youth Games. He finished 0.24 seconds ahead of Hong Kong’s Lau Kin James, who secured the silver medal with a time of 24.97 seconds, while Wu Chao-Si of Chinese Taipei claimed the bronze, finishing third in 25.05 seconds.

In an exceptional feat achieved in under 24 hours, Hussain Shawqi competed in three finals at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, maintaining his impressive streak of success.

Earlier, he had qualified for the 50m butterfly final with a time of 25.16 seconds, finishing 0.42 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, before going on to claim the bronze medal in the 50m freestyle on Monday.

With this victory, the UAE’s medal tally rose to 19 medals - 8 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze - placing the nation sixth overall and first among Arab countries.

China maintained its lead with 98 medals, followed by Uzbekistan with 40, and Thailand in third place with 33 medals.

Golden champion Hussain Shawqi affirmed that true achievement stems from discipline, dedication, and commitment in training, as well as from making the most of every competition and opportunity - a philosophy instilled by the national swimming team’s coaching staff, led by Emirati coach Marwan Al Hattawi.

He added: “My deepest thanks to the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee, and the UAE Aquatic Sports Federation. Their collective efforts have led to this remarkable success - and what lies ahead promises to be even greater in future international competitions.”

For his part, Marwan Al Hattawi, Head Coach of the UAE National Swimming Team, expressed his delight at the achievement of gold medallist Hussain Shawqi and the exceptional level he displayed throughout all events at the Games.

He explained that preparations for the Asian Youth Games had been carried out effectively in the lead-up to the competition, beginning on 20 June of this year, when swimmers eligible by age category were first selected.