FUJAIRAH - The 3rd Arab Taekwondo Championships, organised by the Fujairah Martial Arts Club and supervised by the UAE Taekwondo Federation, will conclude on Friday with the participation of 742 participants representing 20 countries.

The host nation got off to a great start with 13 medals, including three gold, four silver, and six bronze. Morocco topped the medal table with 16 medals, including three gold, four silver and nine bronze, while Jordan won eight medals, including three gold, two silver and three bronze.

Egypt took six medals, three each for gold and bronze, while Palestine won its first Arab gold through Yasser Ismail, picking up three medals in total on day one.

The first UAE gold medal came through the Fujairah Club player, Sina Al-Ariza, in the 46 kg competition, while Setayesh Habibullah added the second gold medal in the 73kg category. Success continued with Mohammad Amir Hussein winning gold in the 74kg category after Palestinian Ahmed Bahloul in the final.

The fights were watched by a number of dignitaries on Day One, including Dr. Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, President of the Emirates Taekwondo Federation and the President of the Organising Committee; Idris Al-Hilali, the President of the Arab Taekwondo Federation; Maher Meqabla, the representative of the International Taekwondo Federation; and Presidents of the Mauritanian and Iraqi Federations, Mohamed Al-Soufi and Ibrahim Jarrar. Dr. Al-Zeyoudi.

Nader Abu Shawish, Tournament Director, highlighted the quality of the competition with a number of world-class fighters taking part. “A number of Olympians participated today, showing just how highly regarded this tournament is,” he said, adding that young fighters will benefit from the experience of competing against and alongside world-class fighters.