Salma Al Marri, launching UAE female sport into new territory

For Salma Haitham Al Marri, that moment arrived in Tunis. At last year’s Arab Junior Championships, the young athlete representing the UAE and Abu Dhabi Athletics Club delivered a performance that elevated expectations. By claiming gold in the hammer throw, she became the first Emirati female athlete to secure a gold medal in athletics at an overseas women’s competition - an achievement that marked a decisive step for her career and for women’s sport in the country.

Her winning 55.78 metres stood out against a strong international field, signalling her arrival as a true contender. The championships brought further success. Salma was also on the podium for a silver medal in the discus with a distance of 41.01 metres, completing an impressive medal haul and underlining her range across disciplines.

At the West Asian Youth Championships in Beirut, she won two gold medals, dominating both the hammer throw and discus. The performances confirmed her growing authority on the regional stage and her ability to deliver.

Back on home soil at the ongoing Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST 2026), Salma has kept building momentum. She captured gold in the hammer throw with a distance of 49.45 metres and took another medal in the discus at 39.37 metres, reinforcing her standing as one of the competition’s leading athletes.

Her rise carries added significance given the path she took to reach the throwing circle. She began her sporting career on the track, competing in the 400-metre hurdles, before making a decisive shift to the throwing events at the age of 15.

“Moving from running events to throwing disciplines was a major challenge,” she says. “I believed in my abilities. In the hammer and discus, I found greater space to express my strength and focus. Every training session and every throw brought me closer to my dream of raising my country’s flag high.”

Success has only sharpened her drive. “Every medal motivates me to keep pushing forward. When I see the UAE flag raised, I feel an indescribable sense of pride. This achievement extends beyond me - it represents my country and every Emirati girl who dreams of succeeding in sport.”

With continued backing from the UAE Athletics Federation and Abu Dhabi Athletics Club, Salma remains fully focused on intensive preparation, setting her sights on major international competitions and, ultimately, the Olympic Games. “I dream of standing on the Olympic podium, holding my country’s flag. That dream fuels me through every challenge. I want to inspire every Arab girl, showing that ambition has limits only where belief ends, and that dedication and confidence can turn the unimaginable into reality.”

Salma’s ambition is driven by courage, consistency, and the determination to step across physical and metaphorical borders in pursuit of excellence, for herself and her nation.