Team Saudi’s Dunya Aboutaleb Wins Taekwondo Match Against Team Israel’s Avishag Semberg
The 27-year-old will advance to the quarter-finals after beating her first opponent in today’s morning match
Dunya Aboutaleb, the taekwondo athlete, is set to compete in today’s quarter-final after beating Israel’s Avishag Semberg in her first match. Dunya won 2-1 in the women’s under-49kg weight class at the Paris 2024 Olympics earlier today, cementing her status as one of the region’s top athletes.
The 27-year-old made history earlier this year when she qualified for the Olympics, making her the first Saudi woman ever to earn a direct qualification for the games based purely on performance.
Dunya is an inspiration to many Arab women and, according to the Olympics website, her ambition is to win an medal in honour of her late father.
“This was the dream of my father but he died four years ago,” she told World Taekwondo in 2022. “So he didn’t see me here. If I get a medal in the Olympics, I will give it to my father and my country.”
HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States of America, shared a touching post cheering Dunya on.
“On to the Quarter Finals!!” Her Royal Highness wrote in the caption.
Dunya’s quarter-final opponent has just been announced as Team Thailand’s Panipak Wongpattanakit, who has won against Team Morocco’s Oumaima El Bouchti. This upcoming match will be the second game of the day for both Dunya and Panipak, which will take place on 7 August 2024 at 4:53 PM (GST).
Check back soon for more updates.
Read More About Regional Athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics here:
How To Watch Paris 2024 Olympics In The UAE, KSA And GCC
Paris 2024 Olympics: 12 Female Athletes From The MENA Region We’ll Be Cheering For
Boxer Imane Khelif Has Secured Her Place in The Olympic Welterweight Finals
Lead Image Courtesy of Instagram/@teamsaudi