{
  "id": 13910981,
  "title": "UAE teenager Mariam Kareem’s stunning rise from school runner to Asian Games champion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/uae-teenager-mariam-kareems-stunning-rise-from-school-runner-to-asian",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T08:31:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/2026/10/12/uae-teenager-mariam-kareems-stunning-rise-from-school-runner-to-asian-games-champion/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Emirati teenager Mariam Kareem, an 18-year-old hurdler, has experienced an astounding rise from being a school runner to becoming an Asian Games champion. Over the past few months, she has achieved remarkable success, including finishing fourth in the 400m hurdles at the World Athletics U20 Championships and winning gold at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.\n\nKareem began her season with a time of 57.39 seconds at a Grand Prix in Addis Ababa in April, and concluded it with a record-breaking 54.31 seconds at the Asian Games. This impressive performance not only earned her the gold medal but also set new Asian Games and U20 records. At the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Kareem clocked a time of 56.27 seconds, placing her fourth, just 0.28 seconds away from the podium.\n\nDespite her success, Kareem acknowledges that the rapid progression has taken her by surprise. The 18-year-old credits her coach from the UAE Athletics Federation for recognizing her potential when she was still competing at her high school in Dubai. Her coach's unwavering support and guidance motivated her to take athletics seriously, turning her passion for running into a promising career.\n\nKareem's journey to the top has not been without challenges. She had to contend with a difficult time zone change in Japan, which caused her anxiety and unease. However, she remained resilient and focused on her personal events. She attributes her incredible achievements to Allah's guidance and her own hard work, determination, and the unwavering support of her coach.",
  "summary": "After a dream summer that saw her place fourth in the 400m hurdles at the World Athletics U20 Championships and clinch gold at the Asian Games, Emirati teenager Mariam Kareem is still trying to wrap her head around everything she has accomplished over the past couple of months. The 18-year-old hurdler started her season running 57.39 seconds at a Grand Prix in Addis Ababa in April and finished it…",
  "key_points": [
    "18-year-old Emirati hurdler Mariam Kareem rises from school runner to Asian Games champion.",
    "Sets new Asian Games and U20 records with 54.31-second 400m hurdles performance.",
    "Credits coach and Allah for support and success in her rapid career progression."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "UAE teenager Mariam Kareem’s stunning rise from school runner to Asian Games champion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/uae-teenager-mariam-kareems-stunning-rise-from-school-runner-to-asian-13914206",
        "published": "2026-10-12T08:31:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}