Fifth edition of the Arab Cup 2025 makes perfect start in Fujairah

     Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Thrilling bouts and fierce clashes took over the mats as the fifth edition of the prestigious Arab Cup 2025 kicked off at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah on Wednesday. 

The three-day Arab Cup (G1 category) attracted the participation of 1,535 athletes and will conclude on Friday. 

Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi and Sheikh Rashid Bin Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, sons of the Crown Prince of Fujairah, attended the event and crowned the winners in the women's categories: under 57 kg, under 62kg, and over 73kg. They praised the organising committee and wished them success in achieving its goals. 

The competitions were also attended by Idris Al Hilali, President of the Arab Taekwondo Federation, Dr Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, chairman of the Arab Cup organising committee, and Nader Abu Shawish, Director of Fujairah Martial Arts Club. 

Organised by Fujairah Martial Arts Club, the opening day of the competitions was a whirlwind of excitement, with high-stakes bouts often decided in the final seconds of the decisive round.

In the men's under 54kg category, the competition was intense, but it was Jaafar Al Dawood from Jordan who clinched the gold, with Nabras Al Taqi from Oman taking the silver. The bronze medals were awarded to Al Mu'taz Billah Asim of Egypt and Isa Al-Musharaf from Saudi Arabia. 

The under 58kg category saw Mahmoud Al Silawi from Jordan dominating the competition. Osama Hussein of Egypt bagged silver. Mohamed Seif Al Din from Egypt and Nour Al-Din Triki settled for bronze. 

In the under 63kg category, Mahmoud Al Traira from Jordan proved to be a fierce competitor, with his compatriot Zaid Mustafa securing a second place. Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Ghali and Palestine's Omar Al-Hantouli rounded out the remaining podium spots. 

The action didn’t slow down in the under 68 kg division. Omar Fathi from Egypt took home the gold, while Tunisia’s Jihad Al Mathlouthi gave a strong performance to claim silver. Hamza Al Nashash from Jordan and Iyad Isouni from Tunisia shared bronze medals. 

In the under 74kg division, Jordan’s Zaid Mustafa proved his strength to take gold, while Egypt’s Fathi Yasser claimed silver.

Moving on to the under 80kg category, Tunisia's Firas Qatousi delivered an outstanding performance to claim victory. Alongside him, Mohamed Al-Darabeh of Jordan, Haitham Rzaouti from Morocco, and Laith Ben Husseini of Tunisia made their mark in this highly competitive weight class. 

In the under 87kg division, Egypt’s Ahmed Al-Rawi stood out, while Jordan's Saleh Al Sharbati settled for silver while Saudi Arabia's Mabrouk Al Mabrouk and Moataz Efaoui from Tunisia ended with bronze medals. 

The over 87kg category featured some of the best fighters in the tournament, with Abdullah Essam of Egypt bagging gold. Zakaria Khuyar from Morocco took silver. Mohamed Al-Salem from Saudi Arabia and Abdulmohsen Zakaria from Kuwait got bronze. 

In the women’s under 46kg category, Morocco’s Farah Tawazani impressed with her precision and technique, claiming the gold. Lamia Saiji from Tunisia clinched silver. Noor Al Dardouk from Jordan’s and Rahma Abdulmeneem from Saudi Arabia took bronze medals. 

In the under 49kg division, Aisha Al Zoghbi of Tunisia secured the gold, with Egypt’s Habiba Mustafa from Smouha club taking the silver. Morocco’s Nuzha Al Asal and Lebanon's Dana Al-Andari also earned their places on the podium. 

The under 53kg category bout saw Saudi Arabia’s Dunia Abu Talib dominate the clash to take gold. Egypt’s Janna Khattab settling for silver. Palestine’s Yaqeen Faraj and Morocco’s Mariam Ainmas got bronze medals.

In the under 57kg, Tunisia’s Shaimaa Tawami demonstrated exceptional skill to take top spot on the podium. Morocco’s Kholal Mirami claimed silver. Malak Yaqub from Egypt and her compatriot Shahd Sami shared bronze. 

Wafa Meshqouni from Tunisia took the under 62kg gold, while Saudi Arabia’s Nisreen Ayali settled for silver. 

In the under 67kg category, Egypt’s Aya Shehata showed incredible control and agility to bag gold, while Jordan’s Razan Al Khasawneh claimed silver. Morocco’s Wafa Al-Atari and Lamar Tarek took bronze medals. 

The under 73kg category was no less exciting. Jordan’s Rama Abu Rab claimed the gold, followed by Malak Hashem from Egypt. Finally, in the over 73kg category, Morocco’s Khadijah Al-Madarar emerged victorious.