UAE archers advance at Dakar Youth Olympics as Al Kaabi and Al Ali compete in round of 16

Khalifa Al Kaabi and Huda Al Ali have secured progression in the Olympic recurve competition at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with both athletes now competing in the knockout stages of the prestigious event.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games have provided a compelling stage for UAE archery talent. In the round of 32, Khalifa Al Kaabi dispatched Mauritius’ Yugveer Jagadish Bissessur with a decisive 6–2 victory, while his teammate Huda Al Ali overcame Romania’s Daria Graur 7–1, both securing their places in the competition’s elite sixteen.

Al Kaabi’s individual campaign saw him reach the round of 16 before meeting Australia’s Brock Penna. Though he fell 6–4 in that encounter, his trajectory through the early rounds demonstrated considerable form and precision. Al Ali, meanwhile, remains in contention for a quarter-final berth, preparing to face Türkiye’s Dünya Yenihayat on Monday in what promises to be a closely contested match.

Beyond the individual bracket, both archers continue their participation in the mixed team event, representing the UAE alongside one another. The pair now face the Egyptian national team in the round of 16, an encounter that carries significance for the Emirates’ medal ambitions.

The archery contingent forms part of a broader UAE presence across the Games’ disciplines. In cycling, Sultan Al Hammadi completed the 76.5 km road race in 1 hour, 54 minutes and 41 seconds, finishing in 33rd place overall. Swimming too has seen UAE representation, with Abdullah Al Ameri competing in both the 100 m freestyle and 100m backstroke events.

Swimming coach Marwan Al Hattawi offered perspective on Al Ameri’s performances at the Games, observing that the athlete had fulfilled his participation objectives with considerable merit. Al Ameri’s results came close to his personal bests, Al Hattawi noted, whilst the competitor demonstrated resilience under pressure and a commendable ability to adapt to the demands of international competition.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The advancement of Al Kaabi and Al Ali represents a significant achievement for UAE archery on the international junior stage. The Dakar Youth Olympic Games provide emerging athletes with invaluable exposure to elite competition, experience that shapes their development as they progress toward senior international representation.

These performances underscore the UAE’s commitment to nurturing talent across diverse sporting disciplines, particularly among its youth cohort. As the nation continues to strengthen its infrastructure for athletic development, results at prestigious events such as the Dakar Games signal the effectiveness of those programmes and the quality of talent emerging from the Emirates.

Report courtesy of the WAM news agency: https://www.wam.ae/en/article/c35hxzd-uae-archers-kaabi-ali-reach-dakar-2026-round