Qatar’s Hassan Mansour wins silver at Asian Karate Championships

AMMAN : Qatar’s Hassan Mansour won the silver medal in the junior men’s over-76kg division at the 24th Asian Karate Championships for Cadets, Juniors and Under-21 athletes in Amman, Jordan.

Mansour reached the podium after a strong run of bouts against leading competitors from across Asia, finishing second following a determined campaign.

Eid Ali Al Meraikhi, President of the Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and Karate Federation (QTJKF), praised Mansour’s performance, saying the medal reflected the work of the athlete and the federation’s technical and administrative teams.

“The silver medal underscores the hard work of the athlete and the technical and administrative staffs and reflects the steady evolution of Qatari karate,” Al Meraikhi told the Qatar News Agency.

He dedicated the achievement to Qatar Olympic Committee President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani for his support of the sport and said the medal would provide an important boost for Mansour and his national team colleagues.

Al Meraikhi said the result demonstrated the progress of Qatari karate and the federation’s continued focus on developing athletes for major continental and international competitions.

Qatar will seek another medal when Abdulrahman Mustafa competes in the Under-21 men’s under-60kg division on Thursday.

Mansour and Mustafa are Qatar’s two representatives at the championship, with the delegation headed by QTJKF Assistant Secretary-General Rashid Al Hajri.

The four-day championship, which runs through Sept. 11, features kata and kumite competitions across the cadet, junior and Under-21 divisions.

A total of 338 athletes from 30 countries are competing at Arena Hall in Al Hussein Youth City, making the event one of Asia’s major age-group karate competitions.