Sudden illness rules Ziyad out of taekwondo in Dakar

DAKAR, NOV 7
Oman’s taekwondo player Ziyad bin Waleed al Balushi has been ruled out of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games after a sudden illness prevented him from travelling to Senegal and making his Olympic debut.
A medical report issued on Thursday advised the athlete against travelling or participating in sporting activities because of his health condition. It also recommended a period of rest before he gradually resumes training in the coming weeks.
Al Balushi had been scheduled to compete in the men’s under-48 kg event on Sunday, November 8, at the Iba Mar Diop venue in Dakar. However, his health and safety remain the priority.
With Al Balushi unable to compete, attention now turns to Oman’s fencer Jana al Sharji, who will represent the country in the women’s individual épée event on Tuesday, November 10, at Dakar Expo in Diamniadio. She will be the final Omani athlete in action at the Games.
Oman’s participation began with swimmer Hamed al Hasani, who carried the national flag at the opening ceremony. He finished second in his 400m freestyle heat in four minutes and 29 seconds, placing 31st overall among 33 competitors. His scheduled 800m freestyle event was cancelled by organisers because of high water temperatures at the Olympic swimming pool.

TWO WORLD CUP SILVER MEDALS
Al Sharji heads into the Dakar competition following an impressive run of international performances, highlighted by two silver medals at World Cup events in the junior category within less than two weeks.
Her first podium finish came in San José, Costa Rica on October 22, where she claimed silver in the women’s U17 épée event. She reached the medal round after recording three consecutive knockout victories, with scores of 15-8, 15-6 and 13-12.
She subsequently competed at the Asian U23 Fencing Championships in Bahrain, held from October 27 to November 3, reaching the quarterfinals.
Returning to action days later at the World Cup event for junior and cadet fencers in Bahrain, Al Sharji secured another silver medal in the women’s junior individual épée competition. Her team-mate Salma al Dighaishi also impressed, finishing seventh.
On her way to the podium, Al Sharji registered victories over Egypt’s Alia Hamouda (5-4) and AS Gamal (5-1), Saudi Arabia’s Noura al Dosari (5-3) and Maria al Zarqi (15-10), and Kyrgyzstan’s Amina Koralova (15-10).
She also recorded wins over Hong Kong’s Chung Wing Hei (15-14) and Lee Ai Ching (15-11), although she suffered defeats against several other international opponents.
These performances have provided Al Sharji with valuable competitive experience and confidence ahead of her Olympic assignment.
The technical meeting for the fencing competition was held on Saturday, with officials discussing the draw and allocation of athletes into preliminary pools.
The competition features six individual events across épée, foil and sabre for men and women. Fencers first compete in pools, with results determining their rankings and progression to the direct-elimination rounds.
Each pool bout consists of one three-minute period, with victory going to the first fencer to score five touches or the athlete leading when time expires. The knockout rounds continue through the semifinals and final, with the defeated semifinalists competing for bronze.
AMBASSADOR WELCOMES DELEGATION
Meanwhile, Oman’s Ambassador to Senegal, Rashid bin Ali al Badi, welcomed the national delegation at the Omani Embassy in Dakar.
Al Badi reaffirmed the embassy’s full support throughout the delegation’s stay, wishing the athletes success and expressing hope that they would achieve positive results and fulfil Oman’s sporting objectives.
Head of delegation Eng Khalfan bin Saleh al Naabi thanked the embassy for its assistance and the facilities provided. He said coordination between the Oman Olympic Committee and the embassy had helped complete the necessary arrangements for the delegation’s arrival and participation.
Al Naabi also praised the embassy staff for their efforts in facilitating procedures, addressing challenges and providing support to the delegation.