Saudi Handball Team Beats Iraq 33–21 In Islamic Games Opener

The Saudi handball team started its journey in the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games (Riyadh 2025) with a powerful and confident performance. The team defeated Iraq 33–21 in their opening Group B match, played at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex. This strong win gave the Saudi team an early boost in the competition and set a positive tone for the rest of the tournament. The players showed skill, teamwork and good control throughout the match.

The match was held inside one of Riyadh’s important sports facilities, the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex. Spectators watched a fast and energetic game as both teams fought hard, especially in the first half. Saudi Arabia slowly took control with strong defense and accurate finishing. By the second half, the Saudi team widened the gap and prevented Iraq from making a comeback. The final score, 33–21, reflected Saudi Arabia’s quality and discipline.

After the opening win, the Saudi handball team now looks ahead to their next challenge. They will face Bahrain today in the second round of the competition. Bahrain is known for having a strong and experienced handball team, making the upcoming match important and demanding. The Saudi team hopes to continue its winning momentum and move confidently toward the knockout rounds. Coaches and players are preparing with focus, aiming for another strong performance.

While the handball team celebrated victory, the Saudi duathlon team also took part in competitions at the Islamic Solidarity Games. Athlete Karmah Al-Jaroudi represented Saudi Arabia in the Duathlon “Sprint” category. The event was held at Al-Rimal Park in Janadriyah, where athletes completed running and cycling stages. Despite tough competition from other countries, Karmah finished the race with a time of 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 20 seconds, earning 13th place overall.

The sprint duathlon requires strong endurance, speed and mental focus. Karmah Al-Jaroudi showed determination throughout the race, keeping a steady pace in both running segments and pushing hard during the cycling stage. Her participation adds to Saudi Arabia’s growing involvement in women’s sports and highlights the nation’s efforts to support female athletes in international events. The result gives her experience that will help in future competitions.

The duathlon competitions continue today as Saudi athlete Abdulrahman Al-Ghamdi takes part in the men’s 27.5 km event. This race will test the athletes’ strength over a longer distance and is expected to be physically demanding. Al-Ghamdi aims to deliver a strong performance and improve Saudi Arabia’s standing in the duathlon category. The team hopes his participation will bring positive results and reflect the progress of Saudi athletes in endurance sports.

The Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh bring together athletes from many countries to compete and celebrate sports, unity and teamwork. Saudi Arabia’s involvement across various events, including handball and duathlon, reflects the country’s strong commitment to developing sports and supporting national athletes. The opening win in handball and the steady performance in the duathlon show promising signs for the rest of the tournament.