UAE Achieves Record Gold-Medal Tally at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

Aichi-Nagoya:UAE The United Arab Emirates has set a new record at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games by winning seven gold medals, surpassing its previous best of five golds at the Hangzhou Games. According to Emirates News Agency, the landmark achievement was driven by the UAE national jiu-jitsu team, which secured two gold medals and a bronze on the second day of competition. This brought the country's overall medal count to 12 seven gold, four silver, and one bronze. In the jiu-jitsu events, Mahdi Al Awlaqi clinched gold in the men's under-77kg category, Asma Al Hosani won the women's under-52kg title, and Ammar Al Hosani earned a bronze in the men's under-94kg division. Collectively, the jiu-jitsu team achieved a total of eight medals at the Games, including five golds, two silvers, and a bronze. The UAE's gold medals were also won by Mariam Kareem in the women's 400m hurdles, Kazbek Naguchev in men's under-73kg judo, and jiu-jitsu athletes Balqees Abdulla (women's under-48kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (men's u nder-62kg), Ahmed Andeez (men's under-69kg), Mahdi Al Awlaqi (men's under-77kg), and Asma Al Hosani (women's under-52kg). The silver medals were secured by Suleiman Abdulrahman in the men's 400m, Al Anoud Al Harbi in women's under-48kg jiu-jitsu, Omar Al Suwaidi in men's under-62kg jiu-jitsu, and the UAE show jumping team. Ammar Al Hosani's under-94kg jiu-jitsu bronze completed the medal haul. Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the UAE Olympic Committee, highlighted the significance of winning seven golds at a single Asian Games for UAE sports. He attributed this success to the dedication of athletes, technical and administrative teams, and national sports federations, while expressing gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his ongoing support. The UAE's 165-member delegation is part of broader efforts to enhance the country's sporting prowess, with future focus on the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. In other events, UAE judo competitor Mohammed Omar Marouf narrowly missed a medal in the men's over-100kg category, losing to South Korea's Kim Min-jong. Meanwhile, Gadzhimurad Omarov reached the men's under-90kg quarter-finals but was eliminated in the repechage. The UAE rugby team faced a 29-12 defeat against South Korea in the quarter-finals and will compete against Malaysia in classification matches. In taekwondo, Amna Al Loghani exited the women's under-67kg competition in the round of 16 against Jordan's Razan Al Rawashdeh. The UAE's participation continues across rugby, equestrian, jiu-jitsu, and golf. Upcoming show jumping competitors include Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Humaid Abdullah Al Muhairi, Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum, and Omar Abdulaziz Al Marzooqi. Faraj Al Awlaqi and Saeed Al Kubaisi will compete in men's under-85kg jiu-jitsu, and Shamma Al Kalbani will contest in the women's under-63kg division, with the UAE golf team returning for the final round of the men's individual stroke play competition.