Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – As the Riyadh 2023 World Combat Games reach their midpoint, World Combat Games Chair Stephan Fox highlights the event's role in leaving a lasting legacy for Saudi Arabia and showcasing the country's new vision to the world. The games feature over 1,500 elite athletes from 120+ countries across 16 martial arts and combat sports. Despite not being a combat sports powerhouse, Team Saudi Arabia has excelled with 27 medals, indicating the impact of Riyadh 2023 in inspiring the next generation of champions.
Riyadh 2023 aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, emphasizing women's empowerment and youth engagement. The event's innovative approaches, including combining all 16 sports under one roof and integrating para athletes with able-bodied athletes, are likely to influence future event organizers. Fox and his team have been actively engaging with local schools to introduce children to martial arts, nurturing the champions of 2034 as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the Asian Games.
Saudi judoka Ghadah Alateik's journey from discovering judo at school to competing at Riyadh 2023 showcases the transformative power of sports, inspiring dreams of becoming an Olympian, potentially at a home Games.
