Al Balushi wins Asian Taekwondo bronze in Malaysia
Omani national taekwondo team player, Junior Qaboos al Balushi, achieved a remarkable milestone for Omani sports by securing the bronze medal at the 2025 Asian Taekwondo Championships. The event is currently taking place in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, with the participation of over 1,300 male and female athletes from 44 countries, including 406 junior athletes from 36 nations.
Al Balushi, a member of Al Seeb Stars Taekwondo Academy under Master Waleed al Balushi, competed in the under-51 kg category. He advanced past the first round by draw, then delivered a strong performance in the second round by defeating a Malaysian player. In the semifinals, he faced a tough challenge from a Chinese opponent and, after a competitive bout, settled for a well-earned bronze medal.
Qaboos al Balushi was the only member of the Omani team to stand on the podium at this prestigious continental event, claiming third place and adding a new achievement to Oman's taekwondo history. His performance reflects both his promising talent and the progress he has made, despite the tough level of competition.
The national team delegation included the technical staff led by Master Fahd al Yousfi and coach Adel al Wahibi, as well as Dr Khalid al Mahrami, member of the Oman Taekwondo Committee. All praised Al Balushi's high-level performance against some of Asia's top athletes.
Oman's representation in the championship featured a selection of talented male and female athletes: Muhannad al Balushi, Mutasim al Maskari, Ziyad al Balushi, Dawood al Yousfi, Aws al Sibani, and Qaboos al Balushi, along with female athletes Fida al Barwani, Dania al Abdali, and Rawan al Talai. Their participation was organised by the Oman Taekwondo Committee as part of its effort to support and develop youth athletes for international competitions.
Eng Faisal al Zadjali, President of Al Seeb Stars Academy and a member of the Oman Taekwondo Committee, described the national team's participation in the 2025 Asian Junior and Youth Championships in Malaysia as honorable and filled with positive signs for the future of the sport in Oman. He especially praised Al Balushi's historic bronze medal, which marks the first youth-level Asian achievement for the Sultanate of Oman.
Al Zadjali emphasised that the results inspire optimism, noting that the Asian Championships are considered the second most competitive event in the continent after the World Championships. Reaching the advanced rounds is an achievement in itself, given the presence of strong teams like Korea, China and Iran.
He explained that Al Balushi's success was the result of a full year of comprehensive preparation at the academy, which included intensive training programmes, camps, match simulations, and performance analysis. This training model, he noted, is applied to all academy athletes, not just those participating internationally.
He also highlighted the vital role of sports academies in talent discovery and development, pointing to a strategic partnership between Al Seeb Stars Academy and the Oman Taekwondo Committee aimed at supplying the national teams with ready and competitive athletes.
Al Zadjali concluded by noting that upcoming international competitions are on the team's agenda, and that qualifying for the World Championships and the Olympics is among their long-term strategic goals.
The championship is held under the supervision of the Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU) and World Taekwondo (WT), featuring various categories for juniors, cadets, and para athletes. It is considered one of the largest continental championships in the sport's history.
This achievement reflects the continuous efforts of Omani sports academies in developing and preparing young athletes for international participation. Najm Al Seeb Academy, under Master Waleed al Balushi, continues to produce promising talents who raise the Omani flag in global arenas.
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