Muscat – Oman’s young taekwondo athletes won seven medals, including one gold, a silver and five bronze, at the Sixth Qatar Open Taekwondo Championship in Doha, showcasing the potential of the sultanate’s emerging talent.

Walid bin Yousuf Al Balushi, coach of Seeb Stars Taekwondo Academy, told Muscat Daily from Doha that the results reflected the athletes’ commitment, disciplined preparation and determination to compete against international opponents.

The four-day G-1 championship, running from October 18 to 21, has brought together 1,152 athletes from more than 46 countries, giving young competitors an opportunity to test their skills against a range of fighting styles and levels of experience.

Oman is represented by around seven taekwondo academies, with the results highlighting the importance of nurturing junior athletes as a foundation for future international success.

Saleh bin Sultan Al Ramhi of Seeb Stars Taekwondo Academy led Oman’s medal tally, winning gold in the under-52kg category. Dana bint Zaki Al Wahibi of Majan Taekwondo Academy secured silver in the under-40kg category.

Seeb Stars won four bronze medals, with Faisal bin Badr Al Raisi finishing third in the over-57kg category, Qaboos bin Said Al Aghbari in the under-30kg category, Taymour bin Said Al Aghbari in the under-27kg category, and Ahmed bin Said Al Balushi in the under-44kg category.

Mashael bint Luqman Al Hashmi of Iradat Al Quwa Academy claimed the fifth bronze medal in the under-27kg category.

Al Balushi said international tournaments were essential for young athletes to gain experience, assess their abilities against different opponents and build the confidence needed to compete at higher levels.

Maintaining concentration, physical fitness and technical discipline throughout each bout remained a challenge, particularly when facing opponents with contrasting fighting styles and greater international experience, he said.

Developing promising athletes requires structured training programmes that combine physical conditioning with technical and tactical preparation. “Identifying talent early, improving coaching standards, organising training camps and increasing participation in domestic and international competitions would also help raise performance levels,” he said.

Closer cooperation between academies and sports authorities would further strengthen talent development and establish clearer pathways for promising athletes to progress to international competition, Al Balushi added.

Eyes on Athens 2027

Seeb Stars aims to build on its results in Qatar as it prepares athletes for major international competitions, with the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Athens, Greece, scheduled for April 21-25, 2027, a key target.

“Achieving this ambition will require sustained training, improved physical and technical readiness, and greater exposure to high-calibre opponents,” Al Balushi said.

The academy hopes to equip its athletes with the experience and skills needed to represent Oman at the highest level and pursue further international success.

The results reflect Seeb Stars’ motto, “Factory of Champions”, and its focus on developing athletes through strength, discipline, respect and sporting excellence.

Al Balushi said building champions involved more than winning medals. It also meant instilling sporting values, encouraging teamwork and commitment, and preparing young athletes for the demands of competition.