Eighteen-year-old Mariam Kareem made a remarkable Asian Games debut on Monday, winning the UAE’s first gold medal of the ongoing Games in Nagoya.
Kareem claimed the women’s 400m hurdles title with a Games-record time of 54.31 seconds, delivering a standout performance on the track.
Kareem Breaks Asian Games Record
After qualifying for the final with a personal-best time of 55.14 seconds in the heats on Sunday, Kareem produced an even stronger performance in the final.
Her time of 54.31 seconds secured the gold medal and broke the previous Asian Games record.
Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems finished second with 54.58 seconds, while India’s Vithya Ramraj took the bronze medal with a time of 54.75 seconds.
Second Medal for UAE at the Games
Kareem’s gold was the UAE’s second medal of the ongoing Asian Games.
Earlier, Sulaiman Abdulrahman won silver in the men’s 400m final, giving the UAE another podium finish in athletics.
Kareem has also enjoyed success at junior level. Earlier this year, she won gold at the Asian Under-20 Championships in Hong Kong.
At the Asian Under-18 Championships in Dammam last year, she completed a memorable double by winning gold in both the 200m and 400m hurdles.
Praise for Kareem’s Historic Performance
UAE athletics officials attended the final and celebrated Kareem’s achievement.
Major General Dr Mohammed Abdullah Al Murr, Member of the Board of Directors of the UAE Olympic Committee and President of the UAE Athletics Federation, praised the young athlete for her performance.
He highlighted her Games record and described the result as an important milestone for UAE athletics.
According to Al Murr, Kareem’s performance also reflects the continued development of national sporting talent and the support provided to UAE athletes.
UAE Archers Reach Knockout Stages
Elsewhere, UAE archer Jumana Al Najjar advanced to the round of 16 in the women’s individual compound event after defeating Afghanistan’s Fatima Sadat Sadr 140-137.
However, Al Najjar’s campaign ended in the next round after she lost 140-148 to South Korea’s Park Jungyun.
In the men’s individual compound event, Sultan Al Menhali was eliminated in the round of 32 after losing 139-148 to China’s Liu Jinyi.
Abdullah Al Mansoori also exited at the same stage following a 141-147 defeat to South Korea’s Choi Yonghee.
UAE Athletes Compete in Other Events
In the trap shooting event, Sheikh Mohammed bin Dalmook Al Maktoum recorded 95 targets after four rounds, while Yahya Suhail Al Muhairi scored 90.
There was disappointment in padel as UAE players Fatima Shahdour and Maryam Al Hashemi lost their doubles match.
Despite mixed results across several events, the day belonged to Mariam Kareem, whose record-breaking performance delivered a memorable gold medal for the UAE.
The young athlete’s success is expected to provide further momentum to the UAE contingent as athletes continue competing for medals across different disciplines.
The UAE won 20 medals, including five golds, at the 2022 Asian Games and will be looking to add to its medal tally in Japan.