ROME — Saudi Arabia's karate team has made a significant mark by capturing seven medals at the 2024 World Cadet, Junior & U21 Karate Championships held in Venice, Italy, setting a new record for the Kingdom. The championships, which spanned cadet, junior, and under-21 categories, took place from October 9 to 12 and attracted 1,908 male and female competitors from 109 countries. Abdullah Al-Qahtani clinched the gold medal in the Junior Kumite Male +76kg category, triumphing over Italy's Federico Supino with a tight 2-1 score. Saad Al-Saif secured the silver medal in the Junior Kumite Male -61kg division, while Amro Al-Bargawi claimed silver in the Cadet Kumite Male +70kg category. In the Cadet Kumite Male -52kg division, Abdulrahman Arafat earned the silver medal, and Bader Al-Bargawi grabbed bronze by defeating Egypt's Gad Ali Alaaelden with a score of 6-2 in the Cadet Kumite Male -70kg category. Ali Al-Ariani seized junior bronze after a hard-fought victory against Mexico's Cruz Alejandro, scoring 16-13 in the Junior Kumite Male -55kg category. Meanwhile, Anas Al-Zahrani wrapped up his participation by securing the U21 Kumite Male -84kg bronze medal with a 9-7 win over Italian rival Gabriele Pezzotti.
