UAE Riders Advance to Second Round of Individual Final as Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Draws to a Close
The UAE’s show jumping riders delivered the standout performances of the delegation’s campaign today, Saturday, at the Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026, with all four advancing to the second round of the individual final tomorrow.
Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi, riding “Mentos”, finished third after a clear round in 76.21 seconds, while Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, aboard “Hudson de Vains”, also went clear to finish fifth in 78.68 seconds over fences ranging from 1.45m to 1.50m.
Over fences reaching 1.55m, Sheikha Latifah Bint Ahmed Al Maktoum produced a clear round aboard “Cornet XL” to finish fourth in 74.06 seconds, while Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi, riding “Enjoy De La Mure”, placed seventh in 70.96 seconds with four faults. All four UAE riders will continue their campaigns tomorrow in the second round of the individual final.
Four UAE athletes were also in action in jiu-jitsu. In the men’s under-85kg category, Faraj Al Awlaqi opened his campaign with a 5–2 victory over Tajikistan’s Ramshed Abdulloev in the round of 32, before losing 2–0 to Jordan’s Osama Nabas in the round of 16. In the same category, Saeed Al Kubaisi was beaten 4–2 by South Korea’s Kim Mingyu in the round of 16.
In the women’s under-63kg category, Aisha Al Jneibi recorded a commanding 13–0 victory over Vietnam’s Ngo Thi Thao Van in the round of 32, before bowing out in the round of 16 after losing by submission to Thailand’s Orapa Senatham. Shamma Al Kalbani was also eliminated in the round of 16 following a 2–0 defeat to Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong.
UAE sailor Abdullah Al Zubaidi finished seventh overall in the ILCA 7 class after 12 races, with 68 points, having won the final race. Marwa Al Hammadi finished sixth overall in the ILCA 6 class with 49 points after taking second place in the 12th and final race.
Zuhair Al Labbatt, Technical Director of the UAE Sailing and Modern Rowing Federation, said the national team delivered strong performances throughout the competition and came close to winning medals, noting that Marwa Al Hammadi and Abdullah Al Zubaidi had led the standings at different stages and demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level.
“We came very close to winning medals and our athletes delivered strong performances, despite some officiating decisions that we felt were unfair, as well as strong winds that affected the competition. Nevertheless, we regard these as some of our best results, and we are pleased with the level shown by the team,” Al Labbatt said.
“Doha Al Beshr also produced an excellent performance, leading the standings at different stages of the competition before eventually finishing 10th. It was a good result and an important experience that will benefit her greatly in the future. Sultan Al Owais, one of our promising sailors in the Olympic class, also delivered a strong performance that underlined his potential.”
He added: “I am proud of all our athletes, particularly as they led the competition in its early stages and proved their ability to compete with the best. Things did not go our way this time, but we will continue working, training and preparing for the next phase. Our ambitions are greater, our confidence in our athletes remains high, and we believe the best is yet to come.”
Al Loghani: I Gained Valuable Experience
UAE taekwondo athlete Amna Al Loghani said her participation in the Games marked an important step in her career, providing valuable experience and the opportunity to compete against high-level opposition. She also expressed her pride in representing the UAE at the continental event.
“This was an important experience for me, and I am proud to have represented my country. I gained valuable experience that will benefit me in future competitions,” Al Loghani said.
Al Loghani said the women’s under-67kg category featured a strong field of highly ranked and experienced athletes. She explained that she normally competes in the under-62kg category, through which she qualified, but as it is not an Olympic weight category, she competed in the under-67kg category.
“I produced a strong performance in the round of 16 against the Jordanian athlete, showing my strength, tactical ability and fighting spirit against an opponent ranked third in the world. The difference in weight and physical strength had an impact on the outcome, alongside my opponent’s quality and experience, but I competed with confidence until the end,” she said.
Al Loghani said she had been aiming for victory but was satisfied with her performance.
“This experience confirmed that I can compete against top-level athletes, and I will build on it in the competitions ahead.”
She concluded by stressing her determination to continue developing technically and physically, with particular focus on the fine margins that can make the difference in major bouts.
The UAE rugby sevens team concluded its campaign in eighth place after losing 33–5 to Malaysia in the fifth-to-eighth-place classification match, before a 40–5 defeat to Sri Lanka in the seventh-place play-off.
In golf, Sam Callum Moulan finished joint 37th in the men’s individual competition with a four-round total of 297 (+17), carding rounds of 76, 69, 82 and 70.
UAE Medal Tally Reaches 12
The UAE took its medal tally at the 20th Asian Games to 12 — seven gold, four silver and one bronze — ahead of the final day of competition, placing 13th overall and second among Arab nations.
The UAE’s medals came across athletics, judo, jiu-jitsu and show jumping, with the seven gold medals representing the country’s highest-ever gold-medal haul at an Asian Games.
China continued to lead the medal table with 319 medals — 163 gold, 82 silver and 74 bronze — followed by Japan with 240 medals — 72 gold, 83 silver and 85 bronze — and South Korea with 135 medals — 33 gold, 40 silver and 62 bronze.
Among Arab nations, Bahrain led the way and ranked ninth overall with 22 medals — 11 gold, five silver and six bronze — followed by the UAE in 13th place, Kuwait in 17th and Qatar in 18th.
Games Conclude Tomorrow
The curtain will come down tomorrow on the 20th Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026, with the UAE’s final participation centred on the second round of the individual show jumping final.
Humaid Al Muhairi and Abdullah Al Muhairi will continue their campaigns over fences reaching 1.50m, while Sheikha Latifah Bint Ahmed Al Maktoum and Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi will compete over fences reaching 1.55m, in the UAE delegation’s final competition at the Games.
