9-Year-Old Zayed Al Hammadi Wins Gold in Para-Karate Debut
Zayed Al Hammadi claimed gold in his first para-karate competition in Sharjah, a milestone in the UAE Karate Federation’s newly introduced para-athlete kata events.
Zayed Al Hammadi, a nine-year-old from Sharjah, won the gold medal in his age category after just one month of practicing para-karate. The victory came during the UAE Karate Federation’s inaugural para-athlete kata competition, held in late May 2026, and marked a rapid sporting breakthrough for a child with moderate autism spectrum disorder. His success has been hailed by family members and specialists as a sign of the sport’s potential for inclusion and rehabilitation.
Zayed’s rapid rise in para-karate
Zayed’s entry into karate was recent but decisive; his mother and specialists say encouragement and structured training unlocked his interest. After trying several sports, he began practicing karate a month before the tournament and adapted quickly to the discipline and routines of kata. The gold medal finish underscored his natural aptitude for the sport’s movement patterns and the focused support he received.
His mother, Salma Khamis, described the achievement as the outcome of steady encouragement and careful selection of activities that match his needs. She said Zayed first joined the Aman Centre for Learning Difficulties at two-and-a-half years old, where staff and family collaborated to build his confidence. The kata format’s clear sequences and repetitive structure were cited as particularly beneficial for enhancing his sensory, visual and motor skills.
UAE Karate Federation integrates para-athletes into calendar
The UAE Karate Federation staged the first dedicated para-athlete kata event as part of a wider inclusion strategy aimed at expanding competitive opportunities. Officials framed the move as a deliberate effort to codify access for athletes with disabilities within the national competitive framework. Organizers said the introduction of para events mirrors international trends and supports the federation’s goal of offering equal pathways for all athletes.
The competition’s inclusion on the official calendar represents a structural shift for local martial arts programming, giving clubs and centres a formal platform to prepare para-athletes for regional and continental competitions. Federation representatives highlighted that visibility and formal recognition are key to increasing participation and improving coaching resources for athletes with special needs.
Tournament turnout and competition format
The kata event, hosted at the Sharjah Sports Club’s Al Hazana branch, attracted 47 participants representing eight clubs and specialist centres across the UAE. Competitors contested adapted kata categories designed to accommodate different abilities while preserving the sport’s technical standards. Judges and technical staff implemented classifications and adjustments to ensure fairness and to emphasize skill, control and presentation.
Organizers reported a high level of engagement from coaches and support staff, noting that the match environment combined competitive intensity with a supportive atmosphere. The event also served as a practical test for competition protocols, such as classification procedures and judge training, which federation officials plan to refine for future editions.
Family role and early multisport exposure
Zayed’s mother emphasized that exposure to multiple sports — including gymnastics and equestrian activities — played an important role in his development. Those early experiences were intended to stimulate coordination, balance and social interaction, building a foundation that later facilitated his transition to karate. Family involvement, she said, remains central in identifying activities that resonate with a child’s preferences and strengths.
Salma urged other parents not to delay enrolling children with special needs in specialised clubs and centres, arguing that early, consistent involvement in sport accelerates social inclusion. She described the family’s approach as pragmatic: try a range of activities, observe progress, and then commit to what sparks enthusiasm and improvement.
Aman Centre and therapeutic benefits of kata
Staff at the Aman Centre for Learning Difficulties in Sharjah introduced karate into their therapy and activity programs three months ago, according to Dr. Shaimaa Al-Fakhrani. The centre’s specialists explained that kata — with its set patterns, rhythm and emphasis on repetition — can reinforce concentration, motor planning and sensory regulation. The centre reported early signs that the structured practice of kata yields therapeutic gains alongside competitive development.
Dr. Al-Fakhrani thanked tournament organizers for creating an environment that encourages para-athletes to test their skills in a formal setting. She said that combining therapeutic goals with competitive opportunities helps sustain motivation and expands the developmental benefits sport can deliver to children with learning differences.
Zayed expressed pride in his result and a desire to continue competing, saying he dreams of raising the UAE flag at larger international events. His immediate aim is to build on this first success with more training and participation in upcoming championships.
Zayed’s gold-medal debut in para-karate has resonated beyond his family, illustrating how targeted support, early multisport exposure and inclusive federation policies can create meaningful competitive opportunities for athletes with special needs. The UAE Karate Federation’s new para-athlete calendar entry and the positive response from clubs and centres suggest that para-karate will become an increasingly visible and structured pathway for talented young athletes like Zayed.
