Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Team Saudi is poised to showcase their sporting prowess at the 19th Asian Games, hosted by Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8. The event is set to witness the participation of over 12,000 male and female athletes representing 45 Asian countries.

The Saudi contingent is fielding a team of 193 male and female athletes who will fiercely compete across 19 diverse disciplines. These include football, basketball 5×5, handball, athletics, equestrian, darts, fencing, shooting, rowing, weightlifting, boxing, taekwondo, jujitsu, karate, kurash, table tennis, tennis, golf, and electronic sports.

In their quest for excellence, Saudi teams are diligently preparing for the Asian Games, engaging in rigorous training through both domestic and international camps. Their aim is to achieve remarkable sporting feats on the grand stage of the Asian Games.

Throughout its participation in the Asian Games since Bangkok 1978, Saudi Arabia has accumulated a commendable total of 61 medals. This includes an impressive haul of 25 gold, 13 silver, and 23 bronze medals. Noteworthy achievements were realized in various editions of the games, such as the one bronze medal in New Delhi 1982, a silver in Seoul 1986, a bronze in Beijing 1990, and a remarkable nine-medal achievement in Hiroshima 1994 (comprising one gold, three silver, and five bronze medals).

The Kingdom's sporting excellence further shone in subsequent editions of the Asian Games. Saudi Arabia secured seven gold, one silver, and one bronze in Busan 2002, followed by a tally of 14 medals in Doha 2006 (eight gold and six bronze). The momentum continued with 13 medals in Guangzhou 2010 (including five gold, three silver, and five bronze), and seven medals in Incheon 2014 (consisting of three gold, three silver, and one bronze). The most recent showing in Jakarta 2018 earned six medals (one gold, two silver, and three bronze), affirming the Kingdom's enduring commitment to excellence in Asian sporting competitions.

As the 19th Asian Games unfold in Hangzhou, Team Saudi's athletes are prepared to compete with unwavering determination, upholding their nation's legacy of sporting achievement on the international stage.