Dubai: Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, one of the UAE's medal hopes in the Olympic Games starting tomorrow, arrived in Beijing on Wednesday.
Shaikha Maitha, who will take part in the 67kg category of the taekwondo competition, will also carry the UAE flag at tomorrow's opening ceremony.
She will be the first female athlete from the Gulf to be the flag-bearer.
Also arriving in Beijing from South Korea were her coaching staff comprising Moe'ena Jadeed, Sameer Juma and Ziad Hammad.
Shaikha Maitha is one of eight athletes representing the UAE at this year's Olympics.
Earlier, Shaikha Maitha was received by UAE ambassador to Korea Abdullah Mohammad Al Maaina and his wife along with Ebrahim Al Mansouri, the ministerial counsel.
Shaikha Maitha has undergone an intense training programme since her silver medal triumph in karate in the Doha Asian Games in 2006.
The training camp in South Korea was conducted in cooperation with Kyung Hee University, which is considered one of the best facilities in the world that teaches taekwondo.
Over the years, the university has had the proud legacy of churning out world champions.
Continue training
During the course of her stay in Korea, Shaikha Maitha competed against many of the Korean students attending university.
Her most important match was against Japanese star Akiri Akomoto who will represent her country at the Beijing Olympics in the same weight category as Shaikha Maitha.
She will participate in the 67kg category in the taekwondo competition scheduled to be held on August 22.
After tomorrow's opening ceremony, Shaikha Maitha will fly back to South Korea where she will continue her training.
Besides the silver medal in the Asian Games, Shaikha Maitha has won several medals in international competitions in Europe. She was also named the best Arab Athlete in 2007.
The other athletes representing the UAE include Shaikh Ahmad Mohammad Bin Hasher Al Maktoum who will be defending his gold medal in the double trap, while Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum will participate in the skeet shooting competition.
Shaikha Latifa Bint Ahmad Al Maktoum will be donning the UAE colours in show jumping to be held in Hong Kong, while Obaid Al Jasmi will be out to set a new national record in the 100 metres freestyle swimming.
Adil Khalid will be participating in the Laser Dinghy sailing for men, while Omar Juma Bilal Al Salfa will be in the 100 metres sprint.
Saeed Al Qubaisi, who will compete in the men's 73kg judo competition, rounds up the UAE squad in these Games.
