Saudi athletes delivered standout performances in 2024, achieving historic milestones across various sports and reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing reputation on the global stage.
Dunya Abutaleb made history as the first Saudi woman to qualify for the Olympics based on merit. She earned her spot at the Paris Games through the Asian qualifiers and carried her nation’s flag at the opening ceremony.
Abutaleb, who won a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2024 Asian Championships, reached a career-high fourth place in the world rankings.
Salem al-Dawsari continued to dominate Saudi football, leading Al Hilal to an unbeaten domestic Treble in 2023-24. Al-Dawsari contributed to the team’s record-breaking 34-match winning streak and secured another Saudi Super Cup title in August. The 2022 AFC Asian Player of the Year remained a standout performer despite playing alongside international stars.
Mashael al-Obaidan became the first Saudi woman to compete in the E1 Powerboat Racing Championship. She debuted as part of Aoki Racing Team, recording the fastest lap in the season’s final race at the E1 Lake Como GP. Already a trailblazer in rally driving, al-Obaidan earned recognition for her competitive spirit in the inaugural E1 campaign.
Ziyad ‘Zizo’ al-Maayouf cemented his status as a rising boxing star. He claimed a points victory over Christian Lopez Flores in Riyadh and defended his unbeaten record in August. Al-Maayouf’s initial draw with Michal Bulik in Los Angeles was later revised to a win after his opponent tested positive for banned substances.
Al Bandari Mobarak excelled in Saudi women’s football, playing a crucial role in Al Shabab’s third-place finish in the Saudi Women’s Premier League in 2023-24. She led Saudi players in goals scored and assists, earning Player of the Month honours in November. Mobarak also represented Saudi Arabia in its debut at the 2024 WAFF Women’s Championship.
Mohammed Tolo emerged as a standout athlete in shot put. He set an Asian record with a 21.80m throw in Madrid and narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympic final in Paris. Tolo previously won silver at the Asian Games in Hangzhou and focused on improving his performance at the global level.
Reema Juffali broke new ground in motorsport, debuting in the all-women F1 Academy series in Jeddah. She became the first Saudi driver to participate and later secured a podium finish in the GT4 European Championship debut in Jeddah. Juffali also continued promoting accessibility in motorsport through her organization, Theeba Motorsport.
Omar Nada enjoyed a breakout year in jiu-jitsu, winning a gold medal at the 2024 World International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Championship in California. Nada, who earned a historic bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games, also won gold at the Saudi Games in October.
Hattan Alsaif made history as Saudi Arabia’s first MMA fighter, achieving three consecutive victories in her debut Professional Fighters League (PFL) season. She recorded wins through a head kick, corner stoppage and second-round TKO, solidifying her reputation as a rising star in MMA.
Saudi athletes in 2024 demonstrated the Kingdom’s expanding presence across international sports through record-breaking performances and historic achievements.
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