Impressive show by UAE girls in karate championship

Impressive show by UAE girls in karate championship
By Alaric Gomes, Staff Reporter/GULF NEWS Published: August 29, 2007, 23:46

Dubai: The UAE girls karate team walked away with six medals at the end of the open karate meet that concluded in Grado, Italy yesterday.

Led by UAE skipper, Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the team picked up one gold, four silver and one bronze at the day-long competition.

Nearly 650 athletes from 16 countries participated in the competition that was held to mark the end of a ten-day camp.

More than 150 athletes took part in the Kata competition, while the rest participated in the Kumite competition.

The UAE's medal hunt was led by young Haya Juma, who won the individual gold in the Kata competition.

She also picked up a silver medal in the individual Kumite in the under 45 kgs category for beginners.

Inspirational role

Shaikha Maitha herself was inspirational, winning the silver in the over 60 kgs category.

Two more silver medals came from Lana Ali in the under 51 kgs Cadets category and Mai Omran in the under 70 kgs Cadets category, while Noor Nasser bagged a bronze in the under 55kgs beginners category.

The UAE team attended special training sessions with the Italian national squad at the end of the competition. The team is scheduled to arrive in Dubai today.