UAE Continues Aichi-Nagoya Campaign as Football Team Earns First Point
UAE athletes continued their participation in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Japan on Sunday, competing across various sports. In football, the UAE Olympic team drew 0-0 with DPR Korea in Group B, earning its first point of the tournament. The team will face China on September 23 to conclude their group stage campaign.
Shooting
Fatima Al Suwaidi scored 621.1 points in the women’s 10-metre air rifle event, while Yasmin Tahlak recorded 614.0 and Mona Al Hosani 593.4.
Cycling
Abdullah Jassim finished seventh in the men’s individual time trial with a time of 44 minutes and 1.48 seconds. Safia Al Sayegh placed 12th in the women’s 24.2-kilometre individual time trial, completing it in 40 minutes and 50.45 seconds.
Triathlon
Yousif Al Henai completed the men’s individual race in 1 hour, 2 minutes and 36 seconds, competing against 35 athletes from 21 Asian countries.
Swimming
Hamad Al Shehhi clocked 52.84 seconds in the men’s 100-metre freestyle. Salem Ghaleb finished 23rd in the 200-metre individual medley with a time of *2 minutes and 12.61 seconds. Mohammed Al Yamahi recorded *2 minutes and 18.44 seconds in the same event.
Dr Huda Al Matroushi, President of the UAE Modern Pentathlon Federation and Vice President of the Asian Modern Pentathlon Confederation, highlighted the historic significance of UAE’s first participation in modern pentathlon at the Asian Games as a milestone for the sport in the country. She attributed this to years of work focused on expanding participation, supporting clubs and academies, developing technical and refereeing cadres, organizing local competitions, and increasing international exposure.
Dr Mohammed Sayed, coach of the UAE modern pentathlon team, praised Abdullah Abdulrahman's progress, particularly in swimming and obstacle racing, gained through continental and international competitions. He noted that competing at Aichi-Nagoya holds special meaning as Abdulrahman becomes the first Emirati athlete to participate in modern pentathlon at the Asian Games.
Mohsen Al Ali, coach of the UAE triathlon team, stated that preparations for Al Henai are part of a long-term strategic program aimed at developing elite competition levels. He emphasized that gradual development is central to his preparation, considering he is among the younger competitors.