Emirati boxer Sultan Al Nuaimi chasing his medal dream at Asian Games

Sultan Al Nuaimi has high hopes as he aims to become the first Emirati boxer to win a medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

A late starter in the sport, the two-time national champion believes he’s peaking at the right time as he seeks to fulfil his dream of claiming a podium spot in the 52kg category at the continental tournament.

Al Nuaimi, 30, returned from a 10-month lay-off at the inaugural Rising Stars Arabia event at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, where he out-pointed the experienced Tanzanian Jemsi Kibazange to extend his perfect professional record to 10-0.

“That contest has given me the platform to go with confidence to the Asian Games,” the Emirati policeman told The National.

Al Nuaimi was out for several months recovering from surgery on a fractured thumb – sustained in a bout against India's Sohaib Haque in November 2022 – and then spent six months carrying out national service.

This will be his second attempt at the Asian Games having lost in the first round in Jakarta in 2018. He feels he is a much stronger and more experienced fighter these days, better equipped at challenging for the top-three finish that would earn him qualification for next year's Paris Olympics.

“I came back after 10 months and think I did pretty well to go the full distance and win against Jemsi, who had featured in 26 pro fights with 18 wins,” he said.

“I’m ready for another crack at the Asian Games. The Rising Stars Arabia event came at the right time and since then I have just focused on the Asian Games. This is probably my best chance to reach the medal round and win a ticket to Paris.”

Al Nuaimi used to be obsessed with gaming, but his life changed when he first tried his hands at boxing at the age