The Saudi national karate team concluded its outstanding participation in the Karate 1 Youth Premier League tournament, hosted by the Emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, achieving another sporting milestone for Saudi Arabia. The competitions took place from February 12th to 15th, 2026, amidst a highly competitive atmosphere and significant international participation.
harvest of gold, silver, and bronze
The Saudi karate team has successfully reached the podium five times, confirming the high level of Saudi karate on the international stage. The details of the medals won by the Saudi delegation are as follows:
- The gold medal: It was won by the champion Abdulrahman Arafat with distinction in the fighting competitions for the under 55 kg weight category, presenting a high level of technical performance.
- The silver medal was won by player Amr Barqawi in the over 76 kg weight category, after a fierce competition until the final rounds.
- Bronze medals: These were distributed among three champions, as Munir Al-Shahrani a bronze medal in the over 55 kg weight category, while the duo Abdulrahman Bahamran and Ibrahim Al-Mulhem in the individual “Kata” competitions, earning two additional bronze medals.
Record participation and a promising development strategy
The championship witnessed wide participation, with 820 male and female athletes representing elite countries from around the world competing, reflecting the high level of competition under the auspices of the World Karate Federation (WKF). The Saudi Karate Federation participated with a large delegation of 55 male and female athletes, a move that reflects the federation's commitment to expanding participation and providing opportunities for a greater number of young talents to compete at the international level and gain practical experience.
The importance of the event and the context of sports development
The World Youth League is of paramount importance as it is a key hurdle in international player rankings and a gateway to major continental and global championships. This Saudi achievement comes within the context of the comprehensive sports renaissance underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the sports sector, particularly individual sports and martial arts, receives significant support to empower athletes to compete for Olympic and world titles.
Investing in youth and junior categories is the cornerstone of sustaining achievements, as demonstrated by the Saudi national team players' performance in Fujairah, proving they possess the technical skills and physical readiness to compete with world champions. This victory also enhances the standing of Saudi karate regionally and within the Arab world, and confirms the success of the training programs and preparatory camps the players underwent before the start of the tournament.
Fujairah is a global destination for combat sports
It is worth noting that the Emirate of Fujairah’s hosting of this global event enhances its position as a preferred destination for combat sports in the region, as the championship provided an ideal environment for fair sports competition and the exchange of experiences between the participating delegations, which contributed to the success of the event and its emergence in a manner befitting the global status of karate.
