The UAE is celebrating a sporting milestone after Salma Haitham Al Marri, just 16 years old, secured the nation’s first-ever women’s athletics gold medal in international competition. Al Marri struck gold in the hammer throw at the Arab Athletics Under-18 Championship in Tunisia, held from 23 to 27 August.
Al Marri delivered a personal best of 55.78 metres, surpassing Africa’s champion Aya Imran and building on her recent success at the international championship in Slovenia, where she set a new UAE national record with a throw of 49.02 metres.
With this win, she now holds three medals with the national team and an impressive 13 with the Abu Dhabi Athletics Club, including 12 gold medals and a silver medal. Al Marri's rapid rise proves her to be one of the UAE’s most promising young athletes.
Expressing her pride, Al Marri credited the UAE’s leadership for supporting youth and said she is determined to continue raising the nation’s flag at international competitions. Al Marri's next challenge will be the West Asia Championship in October, where she hopes to build on her historic achievement.