From Elite Technical Development to the Podium
Women’s judo across the clubs of Sharjah Women’s Sports continued to mark a strong and structured presence during the final quarter of 2025, through two parallel and complementary tracks: sustained investment in technical capacity-building, and the achievement of notable competitive results on the tatami. Together, these efforts reflect the Organization’s vision of building a sustainable and future-focused sports ecosystem for women.
Elite Technical Development Under Olympic Champion Larbi Ben Boudaoud
Within this framework, Sharjah Women’s Sports concluded a specialized judo coaching course led by Olympic medalist and high-performance coach Larbi Ben Boudaoud, aimed at advancing the technical expertise of the Organization’s judo coaches and enhancing their applied performance skills through a blend of theoretical instruction and on-mat practical sessions with athletes.
Held at Sharjah Women’s Sports Olympic Centre from 11 to 16 October, the course witnessed strong engagement from both coaches and players. The program focused on technical refinement, tactical awareness, and performance optimization during competition—aligned with the evolving demands of modern judo.
Ben Boudaoud expressed his admiration for the level demonstrated by the coaches and athletes, praising their fighting spirit and discipline. He emphasized that developing athletes capable of competing on the international stage requires a precise balance between physical preparation and mental readiness, supported by clear technical vision and consistent long-term work—elements he observed throughout the course.
Competitive Impact at the Kalba International Judo Championship
On the competitive front, clubs of Sharjah Women’s Sports continued their strong showing on the judo mat, collecting nine medals at the Kalba International Judo Championship, held on Saturday, 6 December 2025, at Kalba Sports Club Hall. The event featured 45 athletes representing six local and international clubs and academies.
In the Cadet category, Kalba Women’s Sports Club secured second place overall in the medal standings following an impressive performance. Gold medals were won by Nada Rashid (Under 44 kg) and Hour Al-Marashda (Under 57 kg), while silver medals went to Salma Abdulrahman (Under 63 kg), Aya Adnan (Under 70 kg), and Hessa Abdullah (Over 70 kg). Bronze medals were claimed by Hiyam Al-Zahmi and Aisha Hassan (Under 52 kg).
In the Junior category, Sharjah Women’s Sports Club athletes delivered a composed and competitive performance, earning two medals: Amna Yousef Al Mazmi secured silver in the Under 40 kg division, while Aisha Ali Hassan captured bronze in the Under 44 kg category—highlighting the steady technical progression and growing competitive confidence of the team.
Technical Assessment of Performance
Commenting on the results, Souria Haddad, Technical Director of Judo at the SWS’ clubs, noted that the Kalba International Championship served as a key evaluation milestone for athlete development. She emphasized that the diversity of participating clubs and academies added significant technical value to the competition, providing athletes with valuable exposure to different styles and approaches, while enhancing their tactical readiness. Haddad praised the fighting spirit and confidence displayed across the matches, affirming the effectiveness of the ongoing development plans.
A Sustainable Vision and Integrated Approach
These achievements reflect the outcomes of continuous technical work and structured preparation programs adopted by Sharjah Women’s Sports clubs, which focus on skill development, performance refinement, and the holistic growth of athletes across all age groups.
Through this integrated and forward-looking approach, the Organization continues to strengthen the technical and competitive presence of women’s judo—preparing a new generation of athletes capable of competing with confidence and representing the United Arab Emirates with distinction at regional and international levels.
