Mohammed and Maitha honoured

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence and the patron of the first West Asian ladies karate championship, was honoured by the Arab Karate Federation with the highest honour of "The Honorary Black Belt 8 Dan."

It was presented by Nader Sherrif, chairman of the Arab and African Karate Federation during the closing ceremony held yesterday at the Al Nasr Rashid bin Hamdan indoor sports hall.

The Arab Karate Federation also honoured Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who won three gold medals and led the UAE to win the first West Asian ladies karate championship title.

The trophy was presented to Sheikha Maitha by Sheikh Marwan bin Maktoum Al Maktoum during the closing ceremony. He also presented medals to the winners of the Kumite team event and individual events.

The UAE won the title with three gold medals, one silver and six bronze. Iran finished second with two golds and three bronze. Jordan took the third spot with one gold, four silver and one bronze.

Saif Salim Al Shamsi, UAE Karate Association chairman and head of the tournament organising committee, and officials from Asian, West Asian, Arab and African karate federations also attended the closing ceremony.

Iran clinched their second gold medal to take the second place in the final standings.