UAE Delegation Continues Campaign at Aichi–Nagoya 2026
Safiya Al Sayegh finishes 12th in individual time trial
Al Ali: We are working to develop Yusuf Al Henaei to compete at the highest levels
Huda Al Matroushi: First Asian Games appearance marks new chapter for UAE modern pentathlon
UAE athletes continued their participation in the 20th Asian Games – Aichi–Nagoya 2026, currently being held in Japan, with appearances across shooting, cycling, triathlon, swimming and football.
In shooting, Fatima Al Suwaidi scored 621.1 points in the women’s air rifle event, while Yasmin Tehlak recorded 614.0 points and Mona Al Hosani scored 593.4 points.
In cycling, Abdullah Jassim concluded his participation in the men’s individual road time trial in seventh place, recording a time of 44:01.48 minutes. UAE national team cyclist Safiya Al Sayegh finished 12th in the women’s individual road time trial over 24.2km, clocking 40:50.45 minutes.
In triathlon, Yusuf Al Henaei completed the men’s individual race in 1:02:36, in an event featuring 35 athletes representing 21 Asian countries.
In swimming, three UAE swimmers competed on Sunday. Hamad Al Shehhi completed the men’s 100m freestyle in 52.84 seconds, while Salem Ghaleb finished 23rd in the men’s 200m individual medley, recording 2:12.61. Mohammed Al Yamahi also competed in the same event, clocking 2:18.44.
The UAE Olympic football team earned a valuable point after drawing 0-0 with North Korea in Group B, following its opening defeat to Iran. The team now faces an important fixture against China on 23 September.
Mohsen Al Ali, coach of the UAE triathlon team, said work with Yusuf Al Henaei forms part of a long-term strategic project built on patience, gradual development and respect for the natural progression of athletic performance. He noted that preparing an athlete capable of competing at the highest levels requires time and a clear plan implemented across successive stages.
He explained that Yusuf, 22, is among the youngest athletes in the competition, facing competitors who are around four to six years older and therefore have the advantage of additional years of training and competitive experience. He stressed that the technical staff are viewing the current results within the broader development project, away from the pressure of immediate outcomes.
Al Ali noted that the first phase of the preparation plan, which he described as the most difficult, focused on improving Yusuf’s swimming performance. During this phase, Yusuf made significant progress, reaching a time of 10:10 minutes and setting a new UAE record. He explained that the key point was not the time itself, but Yusuf’s ability to complete the swimming leg within the leading group, giving him a better opportunity to enter the cycling stage in a competitive position.
He added that work is now moving into the second phase, focused on developing Yusuf’s cycling capabilities and raising his level to enable him to maintain his position and compete with the strongest group. He noted that the technical staff are working alongside Japanese coach Genta Uchida under a carefully planned and progressive programme to achieve this objective.
The UAE triathlon team coach affirmed that reaching the targeted level will require further time and sustained work, adding that Yusuf needs around two more years of development to reach the stage where he can compete more strongly at Asian level.
Al Ali said: “Our objective is not to achieve a short-term result, but to develop a UAE athlete capable of competing and continuing at the highest levels for years to come. We believe in the work we are doing and in the progress Yusuf is making, and we fully recognise that this requires time and continuity. God willing, we will achieve the goal we have set.”
Al Matroushi: Beginning of a New Chapter for UAE Modern Pentathlon
Dr Huda Al Matroushi, President of the UAE Modern Pentathlon Federation and Vice President of the Asian Modern Pentathlon Confederation, affirmed that the UAE’s first participation in modern pentathlon at the Asian Games represents a historic milestone and the beginning of a new chapter in the sport’s journey in the country.
She said Abdullah Abdulrahman’s participation at Aichi–Nagoya 2026 is the result of years of work to build and develop the sport, expand its participation base, and identify athletes capable of representing the UAE at continental and international events.
She added: “Abdullah Abdulrahman’s presence in the UAE’s first modern pentathlon appearance at the Asian Games carries special significance. He is representing the UAE and writing his name among the first Emirati athletes to compete in this sport at the continental event. We are proud of him, and we hope this experience will represent an important step in his career and a source of inspiration for a new generation of athletes.”
She explained that, over the past period, the Federation has worked progressively to develop the sport’s ecosystem by expanding the base of participants, supporting clubs and academies, qualifying technical and officiating personnel, organising local championships, and increasing international participation, giving athletes the opportunity to compete at different levels and gain further experience.
She noted that the UAE’s Asian Games debut coincides with another important milestone: the UAE’s hosting of its first Asian Modern Pentathlon Championship, scheduled to take place in Ras Al Khaimah in November 2026.
She said: “Competing at the Asian Games and preparing to host an Asian championship in the same year provide a major boost for the sport. However, our ambition goes beyond participation and hosting. Our goal is to build a new generation of Emirati male and female athletes capable of reaching the highest levels in Asia and internationally, and to turn this Asian Games debut into a sustained and competitive UAE presence.”
Dr Mohammed Sayed, coach of the UAE modern pentathlon team, affirmed that Abdullah Abdulrahman has made notable progress in recent months, particularly in swimming and obstacle events, where he recorded new times he had not previously achieved, reflecting his technical and physical development.
He explained that Abdullah’s participation in the Asian Championship represented an important milestone in his journey, before he continued his international participation at the World Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run Championships in South Africa. These events are closely linked to modern pentathlon and help strengthen athletes’ competitive experience and exposure.
He added that Abdullah has strong motivation and a clear desire to deliver his best, noting that his participation in the Asian Games carries special significance as he is the first Emirati athlete to compete in modern pentathlon at the Games.
Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya in Japan are hosting the 20th Asian Games until 4 October, bringing together more than 11,000 athletes, alongside around 6,000 coaches and officials representing 45 countries, over 16 days of competition.
The Games feature competitions across 43 sports and 71 disciplines, with 1,407 medals to be awarded across 469 events, making it one of the largest sporting gatherings on the Asian continent.
The UAE is participating with a delegation of 165 athletes across 21 sports, continuing its journey at the Asian Games, with aspirations to deliver strong performances and achieve positive results that reflect the development of UAE sport.
Competitions in several sports at the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games carry added significance due to their link to qualification pathways for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, including shooting, hockey, squash, surfing, tennis and triathlon.
China enters the Games having topped the medal table at every edition of the Asian Games since 1982. At the previous edition, hosted in Hangzhou, Chinese athletes won 383 medals, including a record 201 gold, in addition to 111 silver and 71 bronze.
China is competing in this edition with a delegation of 815 athletes across 38 sports, including 36 Olympic gold medallists. Athletes under the age of 20 make up more than a quarter of the delegation, with many of them making their Asian Games debut as part of preparations for upcoming major events, foremost among them the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The UAE national shooting team athletes Salem Mohammed Rashid Al Yamahi and Sultan Saleh Mohammed Hassan will compete tomorrow, Monday, in the men’s air rifle event, which features 47 shooters, including China’s Sheng Lihao, who boasts an outstanding record in the 10m air rifle. Sheng holds three records, led by the world record of 637.9 points, set in Baku in 2023, in addition to the Asian record and Asian Games record of 634.5 points, both recorded at Hangzhou 2023, underlining his status as one of the leading names in Asian and world shooting in this event.
The UAE national swimming team will also compete tomorrow in three events, with Abdullah Al Ameri taking part in the men’s 100m backstroke, Hamad Al Shehhi in the men’s 50m freestyle, and Omar Al Hammadi in the men’s 100m breaststroke.
China topped the medal standings with 20 medals, comprising 11 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze. Japan followed with 19 medals, including 6 gold, 6 silver and 7 bronze, while South Korea ranked third with 13 medals, comprising 3 gold, 3 silver and 7 bronze.
At the Arab level, Kuwait led the standings in eighth place overall with one gold and one bronze, followed by Iraq in second place among Arab countries with one silver and two bronze medals. Lebanon ranked third with one silver and one bronze, Qatar fourth with one silver, and Saudi Arabia fifth with one bronze.
