The United Arab Emirates celebrated a historic victory at the 2026 Asian Games as 18-year-old Mariam Kareem clinched the nation’s first gold medal in the women’s 400m hurdles final. Kareem delivered an outstanding performance, setting a new Asian Games record with a time of 54.31 seconds. She edged out Kazakhstan’s Adelina Zems, who finished 0.27 seconds behind, while India’s Vithya Ramraj secured the bronze medal.
This triumph in the hurdles adds to the UAE’s success in athletics at the Games, coming shortly after 19-year-old Sulaiman Abdulrahman earned a silver medal in the men’s 400m final with a time of 44.99 seconds. Kareem’s remarkable achievement in the final followed her personal best of 55.14 seconds during the qualifying rounds, showcasing significant improvement and determination.
The UAE Athletics Federation President, Major General Dr Mohammed Abdullah Al Murr, extended his congratulations to Kareem for her remarkable accomplishment, highlighting the significance of her victory for UAE athletics. Kareem’s gold medal is a testament to her hard work and dedication, as well as a milestone for the nation in the competitive world of athletics.