NAGOYA — Saudi karate athlete Dina Ahmed made history on Sunday by becoming the first Saudi woman to win a medal at the Asian Games, claiming bronze at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya 2026.
Dina produced a dramatic comeback in the women’s 68 kg bronze-medal contest against Nepal’s Aruka Gurung, overturning a 3-0 deficit to secure an 8-7 victory and write her name into Saudi sporting history.
The bronze marked the Kingdom’s first women’s medal in the history of the senior Asian Games, adding another milestone to the growing presence of Saudi women on the international sporting stage.
Her teammate Saud Al-Bashir added Saudi Arabia’s second bronze medal of the Games after defeating Nepal’s Tamang 2-0 in the men’s 60 kg competition.
Al-Bashir had advanced after overcoming Thailand’s Siwakon Mueakthong on superiority following a 5-5 draw. He later lost 11-8 to Kuwait’s Abdullah Shaaban before defeating Kyrgyzstan’s Kalykov 10-2 on his way to the bronze-medal contest.
Saudi Arabia’s karate campaign continues Monday, with Mohammed Al-Asiri facing a Mongolian opponent in the men’s under-67 kg round of 16 at 1:30 p.m. Japan time.
Rana Fayyad will take on Jordanian opposition in the women’s 68 kg competition at 2:30 p.m.
Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee President and head of the Saudi delegation Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal attended a number of Team Saudi events in Nagoya on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Vice President, deputy head of the Saudi delegation and Asian Triathlon Confederation President Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed presented the medals to the winners of the men’s individual triathlon competition, held Sunday in Gamagori, Japan.
Source: Saudi Gazette