UAE Esports Team Advances to Quarter-Finals at Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games
The Emirati esports contingent has progressed to the knockout stage of the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan, whilst UAE athletes continue to compete across multiple disciplines at the continental sporting showcase.
The UAE esports team has qualified for the quarter-finals of the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games following a mixed opening in group competition. After suffering a 3-0 defeat to hosts Japan, the team recovered impressively with a 3-0 victory against Palestine to secure passage to the next round. The UAE delegation comprises Abdullah Mohammed Saif Bouhnad Al Muhairi, Mohammed Abdulrahman Abdullah Al Banna and Sultan Rashid Mohammed Marshoul Taheri.
Across the broader Games programme, Emirati athletes have demonstrated considerable proficiency. In the pool, Mohammed Al Yamahi recorded a time of 2:06.29 in the men’s 200-metre freestyle, whilst in cycling, Mohammed Al Mutaiwei completed the demanding men’s 157.6-kilometre road race in 4:27:21, finishing 13th among competitors from 16 nations. Abdullah Al Hammadi and Abdullah Jassim also represented the UAE in the cycling events.
The shooting contingent has produced notable performances. Saif bin Futtais accumulated 117 targets in the men’s individual skeet qualification to finish 11th, narrowly missing the final qualifying threshold, whilst Mohammed Ahmed recorded 113 targets. In the women’s 10-metre air pistol discipline, Ghaya Shuhail achieved 555 points and Mahra Al Suwaidi 544 points.
Weightlifter Zahra Al Hashemi contributed significantly to the medal prospects, recording a combined total of 115 kilograms in the women’s 53-kilogramme category, comprising 50 kilograms in the snatch and 65 kilograms in the clean and jerk. In fencing, Al Hayam Saif Al Balooshi impressed with a 5-1 victory over Indonesia’s Riley Faith Komalaputra in the women’s individual foil pool round before narrowing defeat to Macau’s Lam Chi Mei in the Round of 32.
The UAE Olympic football team concluded its campaign at the group stage following a goalless draw with China in its final Group B fixture. Looking ahead, the judo contingent is scheduled to join the delegation on Saturday, 26th September, following the completion of its training camp at Tokai University in Tokyo. Competitions commence from 30th September through 3rd October at Aichi International Arena, with Mohammed bin Thaaloob Al Darei, President of the UAE Judo Federation, noting that the Asian Games form part of comprehensive preparations for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and qualification efforts towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Source: WAM