Kuwait strikes Asian Games gold and bronze

Abdullah Shaaban kisses his gold medal.

NAGOYA, Japan, Sept 20: Kuwait made a flying start to its campaign at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, winning a gold medal in karate and a bronze in teqball.

Karateka Abdullah Shaaban claimed Kuwait’s first gold of the Games after defeating Qatar’s representative in the men’s kumite under-60kg final.

Shaaban dedicated the historic achievement to Kuwait’s leadership and people, as well as his family and the technical and administrative staff who supported him throughout his preparations.

He said he had been determined to end his karate career with an Asian gold medal that would do justice to Kuwait’s reputation and his long journey in the sport.

Shaaban described the competition as extremely strong, with some of the continent’s top athletes taking part, but said his determination to raise Kuwait’s flag was the main motivation behind his success.

Kuwait’s teqball team also secured a historic bronze in the men’s doubles through Basil Ahmed and Abdulwahab Al-Qattan, who defeated Indonesia 2-1 in the bronze-medal match.

The result gave Kuwait its first-ever Asian Games medal in teqball, highlighting the sport’s development in the country and the team’s ability to compete at continental level.

The two medals came after extensive preparations for the Games, with Kuwait hoping its other athletes and teams will follow suit and add to the country’s medal tally.

Kuwait athletes will compete in several sports on Monday as the Asian Games continue in Aichi and Nagoya.

Sayed Mohammed Al-Mousawi will begin his karate campaign in the men’s individual kata at 4:20 a.m., with the competition progressing through the quarterfinals and finals.

Kuwait’s swimmers will also be in action at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mohammed Al-Zubaid will compete in the men’s 50m backstroke, while Farah Al-Subaih and Jana Hussein will contest the women’s 50m backstroke heats from 4 a.m.

Abdulrazzaq Al-Duwaikhi will compete in the men’s 50m freestyle, Yasmine Al-Subaih in the women’s 200m freestyle, and Rashed Al-Tarmoum in the men’s 100m breaststroke.

At 12:35 p.m., Khaled Al-Otaibi, Saud Al-Enezi, Mohammed Al-Otaibi and Saud Al-Shammoukh will compete in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay heats.

Kuwait’s skeet shooters will also begin their campaigns at 4 a.m., with Mohammed Al-Deihani, Mohammed Al-Awad and Abdullah Al-Tarafi competing in the men’s individual and team events.

In the women’s skeet, Iman Al-Shammaa, Fatima Al-Zaabi and Afrah Al-Mohammed will compete in the individual and team qualification rounds.