HANGZHOU, China, Oct 5: Kuwait handball team have showcased their unwavering determination and resilience at the 19th edition of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, which continues until October 8. Despite facing formidable challenges, the team have emerged as a formidable contenders, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with.

The inspirational words of His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al- Sabah, had a positive impact on Kuwaiti athletes participating in the "Asiad," resulting in a flurry of medals that have shone brightly on Kuwaiti sports.

In a remarkable feat, Kuwait secured the bronze medal by narrowly defeating Japan with a score of 31-30 in the third and fourth place match. This victory etched a new chapter in the annals of international handball, especially considering the Asian Games' stature as one of the most challenging competitions on the continent, renowned for the technical prowess and strength of its participating teams.

In the preliminary round, they triumphed over Thailand and the tournament hosts, China, earning them a spot in the main round. Placed in a formidable and challenging group, Kuwait, despite the odds, showcased remarkable courage and determination by defeating Iran and South Korea, securing a spot in the semi-finals. Although they faced a setback against Bahrain, they displayed incredible skills against the Qatar in the semi-finals, earning accolades from both admirers and adversaries, reaffirming the resurgence of Kuwait on the Asian stage.

This achievement is all the more remarkable due to the absence of several key players due to injury, including Saif Al-Adwani, Fawaz Al-Mishari, Ali Naseer, Mohamed Amer, and goalkeeper Ali Safar. Additionally, the team was led by a coach borrowed from Burgan Club, the Algerian Saeed Hegazy. Despite being one of the youngest teams in the competition, the Kuwait triumphed over four teams ranked higher in international and Asian classifications: China, Iran, South Korea, and Japan.

In addition to this handball triumph, Kuwait's achievements at the Asian Games included Sayed Salman Al-Mousawi, a member of the national karate team, winning the bronze medal in individual kata. With this victory, Kuwait's medal count at the Asian Games now stands at eight (2 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze).
Fatima Hayat, a member of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Olympic Committee and Director of the Kuwaiti delegation at the Asian Games, attributed these achievements to the wise leadership and the people of Kuwait. She praised the collaborative efforts among sports authorities and highlighted the crucial role played by the technical and administrative staff of the handball team in guiding the young players to success.

Hayat emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Kuwaiti Handball Federation, the Sports Authority, and the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee to develop a strategic plan for the team's growth and its pursuit of international titles in upcoming competitions.

Moreover, she lauded karate champion Sayed Salman Al-Mousawi's bronze medal win in individual kata, expressing optimism about the potential for more medals as the tournament progresses.
Al-Mousawi expressed his joy at achieving this long-cherished dream of winning an Asian Games medal. He thanked everyone who supported him and mentioned the special significance of sharing this accomplishment with his brother, Muhammad, who participated alongside him in the Tokyo Olympics and now stands by his side in this achievement. Al-Mousawi also expressed his hope for another gold medal in the team kata competition next Sunday.

In other team results, our national jiu-jitsu player, Ali Hassan, bid farewell to the under-69 kg qualifiers in the round of 16. Another player, Yousef Al-Dosari, also exited the same weight category competitions in the 32nd round. In karate, Omar Al-Qenaei was defeated by his Indonesian competitor, Joshua Kando, in the round of 16 for the under-75 individual kumite competition.
Meanwhile, our national cycling team members, Abdul Hadi Al-Ajmi and Mansour Al-Subaie, completed their participation in the final of the road race. Nasser Bourjib concluded his journey in the climbing competition qualifiers, securing 20th place.

Khaled El Anzi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff