Dawood clinches gold at 2025 Asian taekwondo
Oman's national taekwondo team member Dawood bin Fahd al Yousfi clinched a gold medal in the under-45 kg category at the 2025 Asian Taekwondo Championship, currently being held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, under the supervision of the Asian Taekwondo Union and World Taekwondo. With this medal, the national team's tally rises to two medals the first being a bronze earned by Qaboos al Balushi.
The championship brought together over 1,300 athletes from 44 countries, including 406 juniors from 36 nations. Al Yousfi's gold marks another historic achievement for Omani sports.
Al Yousfi showcased his dominance in this category, delivering exceptional performances in all rounds of the championship. His balanced offensive approach and strong defense enabled him to advance confidently to the final match, where he sealed victory and ascended the podium to claim gold.
Commenting on the achievement, national coach Fahd al Yousfi emphasised that the Asian Taekwondo Championship is one of the toughest in the world, noting that most world champions come from Asia. This makes competition at this championship extremely challenging and demands top-tier preparation.
He added that the Omani team delivered an honourable performance, particularly in the youth category, which demonstrated great discipline and commitment throughout the tournament. Qaboos al Balushi earned a bronze medal, while Dawood al Yousfi excelled in the juniors' category to claim gold -- an accomplishment that reflects the results of thorough preparation.
Regarding preparations before the championship, Al Yousfi explained that the training for Dawood al Yousfi in the juniors' category was of the highest level. The team held two weeks of internal training camps, followed by two external camps two weeks in South Korea and four days in Thailand. This comprehensive programme was designed to reach peak performance before the championship. He noted that the readiness level before the competition was at its highest, saying We were confident in our players' ability to deliver strong performances, as they entered the championship in top technical, physical, and mental condition.
FIERCE COMPETITION
Speaking about the level of competition, Al Yousfi said the competition was extremely fierce, as the championship brings together some of the strongest athletes in the world, including world champions and Olympic medalists. Any lapse in focus could knock a player out of the first round.
He added that Dawood al Yousfi delivered an impressive performance that amazed everyone. He managed his bouts intelligently, maintained composure under pressure, and capitalised on his opponents' weaknesses. Qaboos al Balushi also displayed great fighting spirit despite the strength of his opponents, reaching the semifinals and earning bronze.
Regarding how players deal with pressure, Al Yousfi explained as a coaching staff, we make sure to ease players' anxiety and stress before matches through mental preparation and motivation, because mental readiness is the key to strong performance in tournaments like this.
Al Yousfi concluded by affirming that the future of taekwondo in Oman is bright. "We have promising talents that require care and continuous follow-up. Thanks to the strong support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Oman Olympic Committee and the Oman Taekwondo Committee, we are confident that these achievements will continue and multiply in future competitions."
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