Sanya, China, April 15, 2026: The United Arab Emirates has paid tribute to the trailblazers who won medals at the first Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia, in 2008.
In a social media post, the UAE NOC looked back with pride on the three medals won at Bali – one gold, one silver and one bronze.
Gold and bronze came in bodybuilding, while the men’s beach soccer team went home with silver after losing 3-1 to Oman in the final.
The UAE social media post was entitled “From Bali to Sanya”
“Since its debut in the first Asian Beach Games in Bali 2008, the UAE has solidified its continental presence with uninterrupted participation, showering it with three colourful medals – gold, silver and bronze. This formed the starting point of an uphill sporting journey,” the post said.
The bodybuilding gold was won by Mohamed Salem Abdulla Al Zahmi (lightweight, -70kg) and bodybuilding bronze by Mohammad Ali Ahli Mohammad Hassan (middleweight, -85kg).
In Sanya, the UAE is expected to challenge for medals in jiu-jitsu in particular. Six medals will be on offer – three in the men’s category and three in the women’s category – and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Falcons have built up a fearsome reputation.
