4 days ago
Exclusive Saudi karate prodigy Abdullah Alqahtani hopes to emulate Tarek Hamdi
Four years ago, Abdullah Alqahtani was watching on television as Saudi karateka Tarek Hamdi won an Olympic silver medal for the Kingdom in Tokyo. Hamdi's karate silver was an instantly iconic sporting moment for Saudi Arabia; for Alqahtani, it was transformational.
As a promising young karateka himself, Alqahtani saw a fellow Saudi competing – and winning – at the highest level of the sport. He was immediately imbued with a belief that he could follow in Hamdi's footsteps and Alqahtani – now 17 years old – has recently been making his own mark on the sport of karate.
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'Tarek Hamdi's Olympic silver medal was tremendously motivating for all of us Saudi athletes,' Alqahtani told Al Arabiya English in an exclusive interview. 'I remember watching him compete and it showed us that with perseverance and hard work, we can achieve our goals at the highest levels.
'What I admire most in athletes like Tarek are their qualities: unwavering determination, mental resilience in the face of challenges, discipline in training, sportsmanship both in victory and defeat, and their ability to be positive ambassadors for their countries.
'I'm particularly drawn to athletes who maintain humility despite their success and I can confirm Tarek is not only an exceptional athlete but also has a wonderful personality, which makes him a positive role model for younger karateka like myself.
'His achievement inspired us to continue pushing our limits.'
Alqahtani has pushed particularly hard in the years since the Tokyo Olympics, aided by the support of the Saudi Karate Federation and Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
In 2024, he achieved a crowning moment in his burgeoning karate career, winning the World Junior Male Kumite +76kg title. Alqahtani took home the gold medal after beating Italian home favorite Federico Supino in the final of the competition in Venice-Jesolo last October.
'Winning the World Junior gold was an incredible and emotional experience,' Alqahtani recalled. 'The moment was particularly special because I had the opportunity to raise the Saudi flag at this prestigious international event.
'It was a profound feeling of pride – not just for my achievement, but for representing my country on the world stage. The culmination of years of hard work made that moment truly unforgettable.'
Alqahtani admits he was first drawn to practicing karate 'purely by chance' but quickly realized he had a level of proficiency that lent itself to competition. While most other teenagers his age in Saudi Arabia tend to focus their attention on football, Alqahtani's life has been karate-centric for several years now.
'As I developed my skills and gained more experience in competitions, I began to understand that with dedication and proper training, I could reach the international level,' he said.
'I love karate because it's much more than just a physical sport. It teaches fundamental values like respect, discipline, and self-confidence. These principles have shaped not only my athletic career but also my character and approach to life.
'The mental aspects of karate are as crucial as the physical techniques, creating a balanced development.'
The dual physical and mental demands of karate are significant in competition, when one little slip or small lapse in concentration can result in a defeat. It is for that reason that Alqahtani undergoes a rigorous training regimen.
'I train daily throughout the week, and I've got used to this routine,' he explained. 'Staying consistent means I can refine my techniques, build endurance, and maintain mental focus for competition.
'A daily commitment is essential for competing at an international standard. It can be tough but I've come to learn that what might seem challenging initially becomes manageable with practice and dedication.
'This mindset has helped me overcome various obstacles in competition. The key is persistence and believing in the training process.'
Alqahtani will continue to compete internationally within 2025 as he seeks more experience and, of course, more success. Unsurprisingly, his ultimate sporting goal is to emulate compatriot Hamdi and win an Olympic medal in karate.
As things stand, however, it is an impossible dream. The Tokyo Games was karate's debut as an Olympic sport but it was removed from the roster for Paris 2024 – and will not be included at Los Angeles 2028 either despite making it onto the initial shortlist. Alqahtani is hoping that by the time the 2032 Games in Brisbane, Australia rolls around, karate may return to the Olympic fold.
'One of our biggest aspirations is to see karate reinstated as an Olympic sport, which would allow us to compete for Olympic medals,' explained Alqahtani, who will be 24 in 2032. 'This is what we all hope for as karate athletes. The opportunity to represent Saudi Arabia at the Olympic Games would be the pinnacle of our sporting careers.
'We continue to train and compete with this dream in mind, hoping that karate will be reinstated in the Olympic program in the future. Achieving success at the highest international levels and continuing to develop as an athlete remains my focus. I want to reach my full potential in this sport that has given me so much.'
