JEDDAH, 20 March 2008 — Saudi national karate team returned home on Tuesday from Morocco where they won four medals (one gold, two silvers, one bronze) in the Mohammed 6th International Karate Championship in Rabat. The two-day event was held at the Mawlay Abdullah Sport Complex.
The talented youngster Emad Al-Malki struck the lone gold medal for the Kingdom in the –60 kilograms weight category after he beat his Moroccan rival in a tough match.
Fahad Al-Khatami was the silver medalist in the –65 kilograms in the youth class. Al-Malki’s elder brother Thamer brought the second silver medal in the –60 kilograms in the men’s event after beating the French world champion. Yahya Muaidi, competing in the –75 kilograms, won the bronze medal.
Speaking to Arab News, Thamer, said, they were happy with the results despite not being able to do training camp. With world champions in action the tournament was a high level competition, he said.
However, “we were surprised our names were not listed in the team event,” he said. The organizing committee blamed their team officials for the oversight.
“We were really ready for it and we’re up since morning warming and not to see our names not registered was a big letdown,” he said.
He said though most of the team members were from the youth team,” they performed very well.” “Even those who did not get medals played with honor and pride.”
The Saudi delegation included brothers Thamer and Emad Al-Malki, Abdullah Al-Fifi, Yahya Muaidi, Attiyah Muaidi, Raid Hawasawi, Faris Al-Zahrani, Fahad Al-Khathami and Faisal Al-Harbi.
The event that attracted 25 national teams was honored with the attendance of Nawal Al-Mutawkel, minister of youth and sports, Antonio Espinos, president of the International Karate Federation, and President of the Saudi and Arab Karate Federation Mohammed Al-Gulaish. The Moroccan team won both the men’s and women’s team championships after collecting five gold medals, four silvers, and two bronzes.
