Japanese skateboarders grab gold at Asian Games

Abu Dhabi: The Special Olympics UAE achieved a remarkable feat at the 10th Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Games held in Cairo, securing a total of 54 medals, comprising 21 gold, 17 silver, and 16 bronze. The victories were spread across four sports: rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, powerlifting, and equestrian.

This marked the second stage of the multi-stage event that rotates across various countries in the region, moving away from a single-host model. The UAE delegation, consisting of 28 members, including 15 athletes, was accompanied by technical, administrative, medical, and media personnel.

The athletes from the UAE participated in these games to gain valuable competitive experience ahead of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile, scheduled for 2027. Talal Al Hashemi, the National Director of Special Olympics UAE, expressed pride in his athletes' achievements, crediting their progress to consistent training and competition.

The new format of the Regional Games, which distributes competitions across several countries and cities throughout the year, provided additional opportunities for the UAE athletes to compete in diverse settings.

Mohammed Zubair Al Shamsi, an equestrian athlete representing Special Olympics UAE, won three gold medals at the Games, adding to his accolades. He expressed his happiness at representing his country and highlighted the positive atmosphere in Cairo, as well as the opportunity to compete and interact with athletes from other nations. The training and preparation leading up to the Games evidently paid off, enabling him to compete with confidence and focus.