2 medals for SWS’s in the 29th edition of Olympic Championship

Fatima Al Suwaidi shined brightly at the tournament, winning a gold medal in the under-16 10m air rifle event, marking her last competition in that category. This victory showcases her tremendous growth as an athlete in recent years.

The next day, Fatima competed in the under-21 category and achieved one of her best results ever, earning her personal best score and securing the highest official score for Emirati women. This shows that she is ready to move up to more challenging competitions. After her victory, Fatima expressed her gratitude for the support of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, who leads the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation. She believes that such backing inspires athletes to enhance their skills and strive for excellence on an international level. Fatima shared, "This championship is very special to me, as it's my third time participating, and each year I see clear improvements in my scores and rankings. Winning gold was a dream, but achieving the best official record for Emirati women makes it even more meaningful. The competition was tough with many European champions, but we felt confident, and that pushed us to perform our best."

Melissa Sretinovic, Fatima's coach at Sharjah Women's Sports Club, praised Fatima's outstanding performance, noting that she not only won gold in her age group but also set new records in the older category. Sretinovic highlighted how much Fatima has improved in her technical skills and confidence, preparing her for more significant challenges ahead. She acknowledged the tough competition from top European athletes but emphasized the remarkable determination and skill demonstrated by the UAE team.

Another rising star, Malak Al-Bashar from Sharjah Women's Sports Club, participated in both the under-16 and under-21 air rifle categories. This was her first international experience and second official competition, where she also achieved her personal best in the older category, signifying a positive step in her athletic journey. In the under-16 team event for 10m air pistol, the trio of Reem Al Ketbi, Noura Saud, and Laila Al Naqbi excelled, winning third place and proudly raising the UAE flag on the podium under the guidance of coach Sergei Gennadievich.

This successful experience reflects the strong presence of Sharjah's shooting team within the national squad and highlights the continuous growth of its athletes, preparing them for future challenges. These achievements underline the effectiveness of the programs supported by the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation and the ongoing encouragement for the sports sector under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, paving the way for even greater success in regional and international competitions.