DUBAI: Maintaining a stranglehold on the top spot, the UAE further solidified its dominance in the inaugural Gulf Youth Games UAE 2024, racking up a whopping 274 medals and continuing to widen the lead over other countries.

The UAE is currently hosting the inaugural edition of the first-ever Gulf Youth Games under the theme “Our Gulf is One… Our Youth is Promising.’

On Day 13, the UAE athletes had their most successful day yet, bringing home an impressive 43 medals after Emirati athletes produced stellar performances in archery, golf, karate, swimming, judo, and billiards.

The UAE’s impressive haul of 274 medals comprised 90 gold, 97 silver, and 87 bronze. Saudi Arabia boosted its medal count by securing an additional 30 medals, bringing the total to 123, securing second place with 49 gold, 46 silver, and 28 bronze. Kuwait maintained the third-place position with 106 medals, including 30 gold, 41 silver, and 35 bronze. Qatar followed in fourth place with 65 medals, including 26 gold, 16 silver, and 23 br
onze. Rounding up the top five is Bahrain with 66 medals (21 gold, 17 silver, and 28 bronze). Oman came in sixth place with 48 medals (17 gold, 11 silver, and 20 bronze).

In the competitions at the Sharjah Police Officers Club, the UAE’s national archery team showcased their brilliance, leading the standings with 22 medals in various categories, including 10 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze.

The UAE’s rising stars dazzled at the karate mats, securing five medals (two gold and three bronze) in the individual kata and team kumite competitions on the concluding day of the second round. Their stellar performance continued from the first day, where they clinched 18 medals (five gold, six silver, and six bronze), bringing their total to 23 medals (seven gold, seven silver, and nine bronze).

The UAE golf team swept the competition, claiming all three individual medals and the team gold at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

The judo competitions concluded at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. The Saudi Arabi
an team won the gold after taking the top spot in the rankings with seven medals, including five gold and two silver. Following closely, the Kuwaiti team secured second place with eight medals, comprising two gold, three silver, and three bronze. The UAE team clinched third place with eight medals, including a gold awarded to player Saif Al-Hammadi in the Under 60 kg competition and three silver and four bronze medals.

In swimming, the UAE national team secured eight medals in competitions held at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Sports City Centre pool, bringing their total to 18 medals including four gold, eight silver, and six bronze.

Source: Emirates News Agency