Saudi Arabia wins first ever taekwondo gold

Mohammed Al-Suwaiq after the medal ceremony. (AN photo)

RIYADH: Prince Ahmed bin Fahd bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, deputy governor of the Eastern Province, congratulated the taekwondo national team and Al-Salam club player Mohammed Al-Suwaiq for securing Saudi Arabia’s first ever gold medal in a taekwondo event, at the 2017 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships for youth (weight 65 kg).
The Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh hosted the competition from Aug. 24-27.
Prince Ahmed expressed his hope that Al-Suwaiq will accomplish more achievements in the sport, locally and internationally, and gain more titles for the Kingdom.
The deputy governor also congratulated the president of the Saudi Taekwondo Federation, Brig. Gen. Shaddad bin Tala Al-Amri, on realizing this achievement, stressing the “need to pay attention to the youth and develop their skills, because they are the bright future of the Kingdom.”
He also congratulated the president of Al-Salam club in Awamiya, Fadel Al-Nimr, for realizing this achievement, noting the club’s interest in various sports and in developing young players. Italy came second, Ukraine third and Turkey fourth.
Al-Suwaiq said the success is owed to “God Almighty, and then the efforts of officials of the Saudi Taekwondo Federation.”
Al-Amri described the win as an “unprecedented global achievement.”
The team, under the leadership of coaches Mohammed Al-Qahtani and Fahd Al-Duwaisan, comprised six players: Loaay Ghanem, Majed Al-Shakhs, Riyad Hamdi, Abdul Rahman Al-Qarni, Osama Sabbagh and Al-Suwaiq.