Doha: The UAE's Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum fought her heart out and earned her country a silver medal at the Asiad last night.
A very long day of karate action ended with Shaikha Maitha facing off against the tough Uzbekistani, Sofiya Kaspulatova, in the gold medal match.
Watched by her father, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the royal gave it everything she had at the Qatar Sports Club. But it was not enough as Kaspulatova won an aggressive-looking contest 4-0 to clinch the gold while Shaikha Maitha brought the silver to the UAE.
Shaikha Maitha started the day with an impressive 7-1 win over Kuwait's Abrar Abdulsayed and followed it up with a hard-earned victory over Indonesia's Mardiah Nasution in a far more evenly matched semifinal.
With scores tied on three apiece it looked as if Shaikha Maitha was heading for an energy-sapping tie break, but a well-timed punch caught the Indonesian square in the face, and propelled the UAE player into the final.
Your comments
Congratulations Shaikha Maitha. Wishing you all the best.
Sivasankar
Dubai,UAE
Congratulations to Shaikha Maitha and the Al Maktoum Family. We are very proud of the silver medal won by the daughter of Shaikh Mohammad.
Alias
Texas,USA
A confident girl like his father. Congratulations!
Lenin
Sharjah,UAE
Shaikha Maitha might have won a silver medal in Qatar, but in our hearts she has won gold. Well done!
Latifa
Dubai,UAE
Congratulations! You have brought smiles to this nation and have just shown the rest of the world what Arab women can achieve.
Siraj
Abu Dhabi,UAE
A great job. Congratulations.
Johnson
Dubai,UAE
Hail the Emirati Princess! I am filled with joy and pride! Maitha was my classmate, and I am feeling euphoric at the symbolic victory this represents not just for Emiratis, but for the women of the world!
Danah
Cambridge,UK
Congratulations to Maitha and the Al Maktoum family. I hope she will bring more medals in future and make her parents and the UAE proud.
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE
Like father like child! Congratulations on the great achievement and heartiest best wishes to HH Shaikh Mohammad for having dynamic children who are the backbone of the country.
Asif
Uaq,UAE
Congratulations! It has brought laurels for the country. Today I am feeling proud to be a part of this country.
Vishal
Dubai,UAE
Her win not only shows her ability, it also reflect the national leader's forecast in woman in UAE.
Gopal
Dubai,UAE
A highly commendable win indeed. The nation and region has a reason to take pride in her accomplishment. Well done Maitha!
Mohammad
Sharjah,UAE
Heartiest congratulations to Shaikha Maitha. I hope and pray that she wins many more medals for the UAE. Our salutations to Shaikha Maitha.
Jamshed
Dubai,UAE
I am proud of her. I especially salute Shaikh Mohammad who is great enough to let his daughter do what she wants and be at her side to support her. I am touched by the increasing sense freedom of choice given to Muslim women. I hope it continues and Muslim women have a positive spirit to make their own identity.
Shumaila
Dubai,UAE
Congratulations for her great job. The UAE celebrate it with rain.
Sasikumar
Satwa,UAE
Congratulations for the best family in the Arab world (Al Maktoum). Congratulations for the challenge and success of the ethical performance.
Fadhl
Sana'a,Yenen
