Riyadh, October 14, 2024 – Saudi Arabia's national karate team achieved a historic milestone by securing seven medals at the 2024 World Cadet, Junior & U21 Karate Championships, which were held in Venice, Italy, from October 9 to 12. The championships brought together 1,908 athletes from 109 countries, marking a highly competitive event across cadet, junior, and under-21 categories. Saudi Arabia's impressive performance set a new record for the Kingdom, showcasing its growing prominence in international sports.
Among the standout performances, Abdullah Al-Qahtani claimed the gold medal in the Junior Kumite Male +76kg category, narrowly defeating Italy’s Federico Supino with a close 2-1 score in the final. His gold medal victory highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strength in junior karate and further solidified his status as a rising star in the sport.
In the Junior Kumite Male -61kg division, Saad Al-Saif delivered a remarkable performance, securing the silver medal after a hard-fought competition. Similarly, Amro Al-Bargawi earned the silver medal in the Cadet Kumite Male +70kg category, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s impressive medal tally.
Abdulrahman Arafat continued the winning streak by securing silver in the Cadet Kumite Male -52kg category, demonstrating the depth of talent within the Saudi team. Meanwhile, Bader Al-Bargawi captured the bronze medal in the Cadet Kumite Male -70kg division, defeating Egypt’s Gad Ali Alaaelden with a commanding 6-2 victory.
In another intense match, Ali Al-Ariani claimed the bronze medal in the Junior Kumite Male -55kg category, edging out Mexico’s Cruz Alejandro in a high-scoring battle with a final score of 16-13.
Rounding off the Kingdom’s medal haul, Anas Al-Zahrani secured the bronze medal in the U21 Kumite Male -84kg division, defeating Italy’s Gabriele Pezzotti in a thrilling 9-7 contest. His victory capped a successful participation for Saudi Arabia, reflecting the team's dedication and growing excellence in the international karate scene.
Saudi Arabia’s seven-medal performance at the Venice championships is not only a record achievement for the country but also a testament to the continued investment in developing its athletes and fostering success in global sports competitions.