UAE caps a historic 2025 with record medals, landmark football and cycling titles, and global success across traditional, para and emerging sports disciplines….reports Asian Lite News
The United Arab Emirates closed 2025 with what officials and sporting bodies have described as one of the most successful years in the nation’s sporting history, marked by record medal hauls, landmark continental titles and breakthrough performances across an unusually wide range of disciplines.
From multi-sport competitions to elite professional leagues, Emirati athletes and teams delivered consistent results on regional, continental and global stages, reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as both a sporting powerhouse and a hub for elite athlete development.
A defining feature of the year was the UAE’s performance in major multi-sport events. At the GCC Beach Games in Muscat, the national delegation recorded its highest-ever medal tally, underlining the country’s growing strength in coastal and outdoor disciplines. That momentum continued at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, where young Emirati athletes delivered a historic showing, signalling a strong pipeline of future talent. The Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh further cemented 2025 as a standout year, with the UAE posting its best performance to date in terms of both medals and overall competitiveness.
Professional football also delivered a milestone moment. Sharjah FC etched its name into continental history by winning the AFC Champions League Two, defeating Singapore’s Lion City Sailors 2-1 in the final. The triumph marked the club’s first title at that level and represented a significant achievement for UAE football on the Asian stage.
On the global cycling circuit, UAE Team Emirates-XRG continued to dominate the sport’s elite ranks. Slovenian star Tadej Pogačar enjoyed another exceptional season, capturing the UCI World Championships Road Race title in Kigali for the second time and claiming a fourth Tour de France crown. The team’s success extended beyond the sport’s biggest race, with overall victory at the Tour de Pologne reinforcing its depth and consistency.
Combat sports once again proved to be a cornerstone of the UAE’s sporting success, particularly in jiu-jitsu, where the nation maintained its position as a global leader. At the 2025 Ju-Jitsu World Championships in Thailand, the national team produced a historic 50-medal haul. Further podium finishes followed at the World Games in Chengdu and the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, while Emirati athletes amassed 66 medals across the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour. Karate athletes also added to the medal count with strong performances at the Islamic Solidarity Games and various Asian championships.
Para-sports delivered some of the year’s most inspiring moments. At the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, Thekra Alkaabi claimed gold in the women’s 100m T71 frame running event, highlighting the UAE’s progress in inclusive sport. The country also hosted and excelled at the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in Al Ain, where the national delegation secured nine medals.
Beyond mainstream disciplines, the UAE’s sporting diversity was reflected in a series of notable breakthroughs. In chess, Mouza Nasser Al Shamsi won the Women’s 1700-rating category at the World Amateur Individual Chess Championship in Serbia. Modern pentathlon marked a strong debut at the World Championships in South Africa, where Emirati athletes collected eight medals.
Success also extended to water sports across Asian and European circuits, while the national badminton programme secured its first-ever continental medal. Traditional sports remained a defining pillar, with the UAE sweeping world and Asian titles in endurance horse racing and achieving historic results in camel racing during its debut at the Asian Youth Games.
Taken together, the achievements of 2025 reflect the UAE’s long-term investment in sport, from grassroots development to elite competition. As the year draws to a close, the breadth and consistency of results suggest that this landmark season may serve not as a peak, but as a foundation for even greater success in the years ahead.
