Fatima Khasif, one of the UAE karate national team's strongest competitors, claimed the silver medal in the Women's Kumite -68kg category at the 2024 Asian Karate Championships in Hangzhou, China on September 22. The result marks a major milestone for Khasif, currently ranked 91st in the world, as she continues pushing herself at the highest level of the sport.
Road to the Final
Khasif opened her campaign with a commanding 6-0 victory over Saudi Arabia's Lama Kifi, asserting control from the first bout. She followed that with a dominant 10-3 win over a Japanese opponent, demonstrating consistent attacking form throughout the day.
In the semifinals, Khasif faced Jordan's Jud Al-Duraws in a tightly contested match, advancing on a decision to secure her place in the gold-medal bout.
Silver at the 2024 Asian Karate Championships
In the final, Khasif went toe-to-toe with the defending champion from Hong Kong in a close contest. She fell just short, losing 2-3 to claim the silver medal for the UAE.
This is her second major silver in this weight class, following her earlier silver at the Under-21 Asian Championship held in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 2021.
Growing Prominence of UAE Karate
Khasif's achievement at the Hangzhou 2024 Asian Karate Championships reinforces the UAE's growing reputation in international martial arts competition. Her performances across multiple continental tournaments signal that UAE karate is steadily building a stronger global presence.
