Showjumpers Omar Al Marzooqi, Sheikha Latifa and other UAE athletes to watch at Asian Games

The 20th Asian Games commence in Japan on Saturday, with 165 Emirati athletes vying for glory over the four-week period ending October 4. Nearly 11,000 elite athletes from across Asia will compete in 23 sports, including basketball, football, judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, equestrian, and track cycling, among others.

The UAE team, comprising 117 men and 48 women, returned from the most recent Asian Games in Hangzhou three years ago as the continent's best performer, securing five gold, five silver, and 10 bronze medals in judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, equestrian, and track cycling. The country's Olympic aspirations hinge on a successful run at these Asian Games, with hopes of a higher medal tally.

Among the UAE equestrian showjumpers to watch are 23-year-old Omar Al Marzooqi, who rode Enjoy de la Mure to a bronze individual medal at the 2019 Asian Games. Al Marzooqi, the youngest competitor in the field, narrowly missed out on advancing to the next round. He is supported in Japan by Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum, a two-time Asian Games medallist and the first Emirati woman to qualify for the Olympic Games, riding Cornet XL.

Abdulla Al Mheiri, riding Hudson de Vains, and Humaid Al Mheiri, on Foncetti VD Heffinck, will also be competing. The UAE showjumpers face tough competition from defending champions Saudi Arabia and 2019 runner-up Qatar.