Mariam Karim raced to gold in the women’s 400m hurdles with a timing of 1:03.62, while Al Yaziya Tariq claimed the other top podium spot in pole vault, clearing 2.60 m. Arwa Ali captured silver in the women’s 100m, and Laila Ahmed added bronze in the same sprint event.
About 250 athletes from ten nations participate in the competition, which runs through 5 October. The UAE’s medal haul puts it among the day’s top performing teams. The championship is viewed as a proving ground for emerging regional talent in West Asia.
Dr Muhammad Abdullah Al-Mur, President of the UAE Athletics Federation, said the performance demonstrates that the federation’s long-term investment in young athletes is paying off. He emphasised plans to expand coaching support and infrastructure across the Emirates to sustain momentum in future youth competitions.
Lebanese officials hosting the event highlighted improvements in venue readiness and athlete accommodation this year, citing close coordination with the West Asian Athletics Association. They also noted stricter anti-doping protocols in place, including on-site testing teams and educational seminars for participants.
Athletes from other nations made notable strides as well. A Jordanian runner posted a personal best in the men’s 800m, pushing into contention, while a Kuwaiti relay quartet signalled depth in the shorter events. Observers see an upward trend in performance levels, especially in sprint and middle-distance disciplines.
While the UAE leads its early tally, traditional athletics powers in the region such as Iran, Bahrain and Qatar remain contenders across multiple disciplines. The competition’s format allows for multiple entries per country in some events, opening opportunities for depth to influence the overall medal standings. UAE officials say they expect stiff rivalry in field events and longer track distances in the remaining days.
The championship’s schedule includes hurdles, hurdles relays, jumps and throws, with several finals set for tomorrow, including men’s pole vault, women’s 1500m, and mixed relay events. Athletes are adapting to Beirut’s climate, with midday heats pushing competitors to manage energy levels.
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