Saudi Arabia Bags Its FIRST Ever Gold Medal At The Olympics Thanks To This Saudi Teenager

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Saudi Arabia has been competing in the Olympics since 1972 but the gold medal has evaded them until now. In the recently concluded Buenos Aires Summer Youth Olympic Games, karate champion Mohammed Al Asiri bagged gold in the 61 KG Kumite event.

His opponent in the final was Masaki Yamaoka of Japan whom Asiri defeated 8-0.

At the medal ceremony, the Saudi flag was raised high and the Saudi national anthem was played in the stadium.

The 17-year-old Asiri dedicated his victory to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, his parents and fellow athletes.

This is not, however, Saudi Arabia’s only podium finish at the two-week youth Olympics as the kingdom has already won two bronze medals in weightlifting and the 400m hurdles race respectively.

Karate is set to make its debut in Tokyo 2020 and Asiri is expected to take part in it.

According to the Saudi Gazette, Turki Al-Asheikh, chairman of the General Sports Authority, has announced a cash prize of SAR1 million for Asiri.

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