UAE Muay Thai Team Wins Three Medals at Islamic Solidarity Games

The UAE Muay Thai national team achieved notable success at the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, earning three medals in a competitive field. The event brings together 3,000 athletes from 57 countries competing across 14 sports. UAE athletes demonstrated skill, determination, and teamwork, showcasing the country’s growing strength in martial arts.

Mohammed Mardi claimed gold in the 65–70kg category after an impressive final match. Zainab Bu Hamada secured silver in the 50–55kg division, while Ilyas Habibali Ali added a bronze medal in the 75–80kg category. These performances contributed significantly to the UAE delegation’s overall medal tally and highlighted the athletes’ dedication to their sport.

With these achievements, the UAE delegation has now earned 11 medals in total, surpassing the 10-medal tally from the previous edition held in Konya, Türkiye. The UAE currently sits 15th in the overall standings with two gold, one silver, and eight bronze medals. Türkiye leads the medal count with 105, followed by Uzbekistan with 49, while Egypt is the top Arab nation in fifth place with 29 medals.

Mohammed Mardi described the path to gold as challenging, requiring focus and determination through demanding bouts. He said that representing the UAE and raising the national flag was his greatest motivation. Mardi expressed gratitude to the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, his coaches, and the delegation members for their support in achieving this milestone.

Abdullah Saeed Al Neyadi, Vice President of the International Federation of Muay Thai and President of the Asian, Arab, and UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federations, praised the national team’s performance. He stated that the results reflect the rising stature of Muay Thai in the UAE and the dedication of the athletes. Al Neyadi emphasized that the achievements are the outcome of a focused national strategy for sports development.

Al Neyadi highlighted the vital role of coaches, technical staff, administrators, and family members in supporting the athletes. He noted that their guidance, encouragement, and hard work contributed to the team’s success, allowing the athletes to perform at their best in a competitive international arena.

These results mark an important milestone for the UAE’s national teams and provide strong momentum for developing young talent in Muay Thai. Al Neyadi emphasized that the success will help reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for martial arts and inspire the next generation of athletes to pursue excellence in the sport.