Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Antonio Espinos, Major General Nasser Abdul Razzaq Al Razooqi, Rashid Abdulmajid Al Ali, Humaid Shams, Dr. Abdullah Al Badi and other dignitaries pose for a picture.

Gulf Today, Sports Reporter

The first Karate 1 — Youth League of the season recently concluded in Fujairah, with young karatekas from around the globe showcasing their talent and determination, which set the stage for the rest of the year's competitions.

The championship achieved record numbers that have never before been seen in the country in terms of individual competitions, featuring 46 events (Kata and Kumite) with the participation of 2024 male and female players across 4 categories: youth, young women, juniors, and girls under 14 and under 21 (males and females), representing 78 countries from various continents, including 14 Arab countries.

Egypt led the Arab and foreign countries in terms of the number of participating athletes with 274 players, followed by the UAE with 108 players, Saudi Arabia (52), Algeria (43), Kuwait (29), Jordan (28), Qatar (15), Iraq (7), Oman (5), Yemen (3), Libya (3), Tunisia (2), and Morocco (1).

Additionally, 260 international referees participated, along with over 3000 athletes who attended this important global event, and more than 700 individuals comprised the organizing teams.

This championship marks the first of the International Karate Federation's (Karate 1 Youth League) tournaments, and served as the qualifier for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics.

The Youth League opener in Fujairah witnessed a record number of spectators who filled the stands of the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah from 9 am to 9 pm over the four days of the championship. The number of fans reached a record of 14,151.

Arab athletes, including players from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, produced dominant performances during the event.

Egypt topped the overall standings of the tournament, after winning a record number 51 medals.

Furthermore, on the sidelines of the championship, an executive meeting of the Asian Karate Federation took place and approved its continental agenda for 2024.

The event concluded with spectacular performances by the Japanese kata teams, both male and female.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, attended the event and emphasized the emirate's distinguished global position in organizing sports championships across various disciplines.

He highlighted the directives and interest of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, in developing the sports sector and providing all organizational and logistical requirements to host international competitions in the Emirate.

Sheikh Mohammed commended the efforts of the organizing committee in successfully hosting the global event and achieving its objectives, directing the continuation of constructive partnerships with sports institutions and international federations to enhance the sports sector overall.

Antonio Espinos, president of the World Karate Federation (WKF), expressed gratitude for the significant support and continuous follow-up from the wise leadership of the UAE, which fully understands the importance of sports and its role in societal development.

Major General Nasser Abdul Razzaq Al Razooqi, President of the UAE and Asian Karate Federations and Vice President of the International Federation, praised the high level of competition at Karate 1 Youth League Fujairah, emphasizing the importance of accumulating points for the world ranking to compete in the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.

The Karate 1 Youth League witnessed excellent organization thanks to the efforts of the organizing team led by Major General Razzouqi, Rashid Abdulmajid Al Ali, Vice-President of UAE and Asian Karate Federations, Engineer Humaid Shams, Secretary-General of the UAE Karate Federation and Tournament Director, Dr. Abdullah Al Badi, General Coordinator of the championship, Marwan Sankal, Deputy Chairman of the Federation, Dr. Abdullah Al Badi, the general coordinator of the championship, Ibrahim Al Nuaimi, Mohammed Harb Al Shehhi, Mohammed Abbas, the executive director and technical director of the championship, and Hisham Serry, the technical director of the Federation and media coordinator, and Jaber Al Zaabi.