Four Sports Join UAE’s Packed Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games Programme

• Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Rugby and Show Jumping Make Their Debuts Tomorrow

• Four Sports Join UAE’s Packed Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games Programme

• Faris Al Janahi and Abdullah Al Abdullah Reach Men’s Doubles Quarter-Finals

UAE pair Faris Al Janahi and Abdullah Al Abdullah advanced to the men’s doubles quarter-finals at the Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026 with a straight-sets victory over the Philippines’ Abdulqaher Alyan and Raymark Golfo. They will face Qatar’s Mishari Nayef and Rashid Nayef in the next round for a place in the semi-finals.

The UAE delegation enters a new phase of its Aichi–Nagoya 2026 campaign tomorrow, Thursday, with competition getting underway in four sports — judo, jiu-jitsu, rugby and show jumping. UAE athletes will also continue their campaigns in cycling and golf as part of a packed programme.

The UAE golf team began its campaign at the Games, with the women’s team completing the opening round of the team competition on 147 strokes, seven over par. In the individual competition, Asia Salim carded a 72, Intisar Rich a 75 and Jaimie Camero a 76.

In the men’s competition, the UAE team completed the opening round of the team event on 152 strokes, 12 over par. Jonathan Selvaraj and Wissam Moulan each carded a 76 in the individual competition, while Ryan Ahmed recorded a 79.

UAE pair Fatima Al Janahi and Aisha Al Awadhi bowed out of the women’s doubles competition in the second round after a straight-sets defeat to Japan’s Saki Tsukamoto and Kai Tokumoto, 0–6, 1–6. The pair had advanced to the second round after winning their opening match.

Youssef Shaker: We Treat Every Match Like a Final — Our Ambition Is to See the UAE Flag on the Highest Podium

Youssef Shaker, Assistant Coach of the UAE national rugby team, said representing the UAE at the Asian Games was a source of immense pride for everyone in the squad, adding that wearing the national jersey and competing at a major continental event is an ambition shared by every Emirati player.

“We enter the Games with high ambitions. Our goal is to perform at our best, compete for a medal and proudly represent the UAE on this major stage. We have developed a plan tailored to our group and the level of our opponents, and we are focused on executing it effectively to help us progress to the latter stages and compete strongly,” he said.

Shaker described the team’s training camp in Hong Kong as an important part of the final phase of preparations.

“The camp was extremely beneficial. It brought the players together for an intensive period of training, which helped strengthen cohesion and teamwork. It also allowed us to acclimatise, particularly as the weather conditions in Hong Kong are similar to those we will encounter in Japan.”

“We also played a friendly against Hong Kong, one of Asia’s leading rugby sevens teams. It was an important test for us, giving the players valuable match experience ahead of the competition and strengthening our confidence in our ability to compete and deliver performances worthy of UAE rugby.”

Shaker added that the coaching staff had stressed the importance of treating every match as a final in its own right.

“The tournament involves six matches, and our message to the players has been clear: we must approach every match with maximum focus and commitment, because each one is a step towards achieving our goal. Every Emirati player dreams of seeing the UAE flag on the highest podium. We are aiming for first place and hope to achieve it.”

“We know the competition will be tough, with several strong Asian teams and everyone arriving well prepared, while Japan will also have the advantage of competing on home soil. But we believe in our players’ abilities and are determined to deliver a strong campaign and achieve a result worthy of the UAE,” he added.

Shaker concluded by thanking the UAE Olympic Committee for its support and the arrangements made for the team.

“We thank the UAE Olympic Committee for the preparations and arrangements it has provided, as well as its continued support for the delegation at the competition venues, accommodation and airport. This level of attention gives the players added motivation and shows them that everything they need is in place. It is now up to us to repay that support by giving our best and representing the UAE in the manner it deserves.”

The UAE has been drawn alongside Sri Lanka, Singapore and the Philippines, teams with established records in rugby sevens at Asian and regional level. Sri Lanka brings the most experience, having reached the bronze-medal match at both the Incheon 2014 and Jakarta 2018 Asian Games, finishing fourth on each occasion. The team also finished third in one of the 2025 Asia Rugby Sevens Series legs.

Strong Competition at Olympic Velodrome

The UAE cycling team faces a tough test in the track events tomorrow, Thursday, at the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka Prefecture, one of Japan’s leading cycling venues and host of the track cycling competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Mohammed Al Mutaiwaei will compete in the omnium against some of the continent’s leading riders, including China’s Wu Junjie, the 2026 Asian champion, and Indonesia’s Bernard Benyamin van Aert, who brings extensive experience at major international competitions.

UAE Judo Team Opens Campaign

The UAE national judo team begins its campaign tomorrow, Thursday, in a competition featuring 203 athletes from 32 countries, including eight Arab nations.

Four judokas will represent the UAE: Najad Kazbek in the under-73kg category, Georgii Elbakiev in the under-81kg category, Mohammed Murad Gad in the under-90kg category and Mohammed Omar Marouf in the over-100kg category.

The UAE begins its campaign tomorrow morning, with Najad Kazbek facing Hong Kong’s Mak Hong and Georgii Elbakiev taking on Iran’s Ilyas Barhizgar.

The draw also sees Mohammed Murad Gad face Kazakhstan’s Aidar Arabov, while Mohammed Omar Marouf will take on the Philippines’ Kedo Isliken on the final day.

Jiu-Jitsu Competition Gets Under Way

Jiu-jitsu competition begins tomorrow, Thursday, at the Aichi Martial Arts Hall in Nagoya, with contests in the women’s under-48kg category and the men’s under-62kg and under-69kg categories.

The second day will feature the women’s under-52kg category and the men’s under-77kg and under-94kg categories. Competition concludes on 3 October with the women’s under-63kg category and the men’s under-85kg category.

UAE Show Jumping Team Ready for Competition

The UAE show jumping team has completed its preparations for the team competition, with all participating horses passing the mandatory veterinary inspection and the riders completing their final warm-up session in the main arena at JRA Equestrian Park.

The UAE will be represented by Sheikha Latifa bintAhmed Al Maktoum riding “Cornet XL”, Omar Abdulaziz Al Marzooqi aboard “Enjoy de la Mure”, Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi riding “Hudson de Vains”, and Humaid Abdullah Khalifa Al Muhairi aboard “Mintos”.

Tomorrow’s Programme

The UAE delegation has a busy programme tomorrow, with judo, jiu-jitsu, rugby and show jumping all getting under way. Mohammed Al Mutaiwaei will compete in the track cycling omnium, while the UAE golf team returns for the second round of the men’s and women’s individual and team competitions.

The UAE rugby team opens its Group C campaign against Singapore and the Philippines, while Faris Al Janahi and Abdullah Al Abdullah will take on the Qatari pair in the padel quarter-finals.

In sailing, the UAE continues its Aichi–Nagoya 2026 campaign, with Sultan Al Owais competing in the ILCA 7 class, Doha Al Beshr in the ILCA 6 class, and Abdullah Al Zubaidi and Marwa Al Hammadi in the ILCA 4 class.

The UAE remained fifth among Arab nations and joint 24th overall in the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 medal standings, with two medals — one gold and one silver.

China continued to lead the standings with 275 medals — 150 gold, 66 silver and 59 bronze — followed by Japan with 199 — 50 gold, 76 silver and 73 bronze — and South Korea with 102 — 24 gold, 30 silver and 48 bronze.

Among Arab nations, Bahrain strengthened its lead, ranking seventh overall with 21 medals — 11 gold, five silver and five bronze. Kuwait was second among Arab nations and 13th overall with nine medals — four gold, one silver and four bronze — followed by Qatar in third and 16th overall with 13 medals — three gold, six silver and four bronze. Jordan ranked fourth among Arab nations and 22nd overall with four medals — one gold, one silver and two bronze.

The UAE was followed by Saudi Arabia, sixth among Arab nations and 28th overall with seven medals — two silver and five bronze — and Iraq, seventh among Arab nations and 29th overall with four medals — two silver and two bronze. Lebanon and the Sultanate of Oman shared eighth place among Arab nations and 32nd overall, each with one silver and one bronze, while Syria ranked 10th among Arab nations and joint 37th overall with one bronze medal.