Dunya Abutaleb: The First Saudi Woman to Take Taekwondo to the Olympics

“First, I win for myself. Then I win for Saudi Arabia. And this is important.” — Dunya Abutaleb

When Dunya Abutaleb stepped into the taekwondo arena at the Paris 2024 Olympics, she wasn’t just representing herself. She carried the hopes of a nation, the dreams of a generation, and the weight of history. For the first time ever, a Saudi woman had qualified for the Olympics in taekwondo on merit. Not through a wildcard, not by invitation, but through grit, skill, and sheer determination. And she didn’t stop there.

She fought her way to the quarterfinals, defeated world-class athletes, and walked away as one of the top five in her category. But perhaps more importantly, she walked away as a national icon, a symbol of what it means to break barriers while staying deeply rooted in faith, identity, and country.

From Private Practice to Olympic Podiums

Dunya’s journey began in Jeddah, long before taekwondo was even considered a possibility for most Saudi girls. At just eight years old, she started training in secret, supported by her father, who believed in her talent even when society hadn’t yet caught up.

Opportunities for women in sport were limited at the time, so she often trained behind closed doors. But in 2015, she joined the Saudi Taekwondo Federation, stepping into the national spotlight and proving that Saudi women weren’t just ready, but exceptional.

Building a Name (2015–2022)

After training privately at home for years, her first official competition came in 2016, at the Al Hassan Cup in Jordan. With no prior competitive experience, she shocked the field and won gold.

From that point forward, her career picked up speed:

• She began representing Team Saudi at Arab-level and regional tournaments.
• She consistently secured podium finishes across the Gulf and West Asia, often fighting against more experienced international athletes.
• Though taekwondo for women was still new in the Kingdom, her talent could no longer be ignored.

By 2021, when Saudi Arabia hosted its first-ever Women’s Taekwondo Championship, Dunya was already a local role model and a key figure in the sport’s growing infrastructure. Her growing influence led to a rising number of young girls contacting her, asking for advice, mentorship, and motivation. By 2022, her influence extended beyond the mat and the Kingdom took notice.

Recognized by Saudi Sporting Leadership

Dunya’s consistent rise and her milestone bronze at the 2022 World Taekwondo Championships in Guadalajara drew attention from the highest levels.

• Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, tweeted a message of congratulations.
• Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdul Aziz, Vice President of the Committee, personally called Dunya to commend her.
• Shaddad Al-Omari, President of the Saudi Arabian Taekwondo Federation, also reached out to honor her achievement.

This national recognition affirmed her not just as an athlete but as a cultural icon helping reshape Saudi Arabia’s sports landscape.

A Fighter with Global Vision

Over the years, Dunya began collecting wins. Not just for herself, but for Saudi Arabia. Her dedication led to a series of regional and international titles, including:

• 2025 13th Asian Club Taekwondo Championship – Gold Medal
• 2024 Asian Taekwondo Championships (Đà Nẵng, Vietnam) – Gold Medal
  The first Saudi woman to win gold at the Asian Championships
• 2024 Australia Open – Gold Medal
• 2022 World Taekwondo Championships (Guadalajara, Mexico) – Bronze Medal
  The first female athlete from Saudi Arabia to medal at the World Championships.
• Multiple Arab gold medals
• Ranked 4th in the world in the –53 kg weight class
• A competitive win rate of 67.8% in recorded international matches

A Star on the World’s Biggest Stage

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Dunya didn’t just compete, she led. As one of Saudi Arabia’s official flagbearers at the opening ceremony, she carried not just the flag, but the momentum of change.

In her Olympic matches, she defeated top-ranked athletes, including Israel’s Avishag Semberg, a previous Olympic bronze medalist. Though she narrowly missed a bronze after a close match against Iran’s Mobina Nematzadeh, her 5th-place finish was the highest ever by a Saudi female martial artist.

Reflecting on her performance, she shared:

“Inshallah, I will try to take gold and this is not impossible for me. This is not my last medal."

Beyond Medals: Championing Equality in Sport

In March 2025, Dunya was awarded the IOC Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award for Asia, recognizing her not only as an elite athlete but as a role model shifting cultural narratives. The award honored her efforts in advocating for gender visibility, representation, and inclusion in sport, a cause she champions both on and off the mat.

Her advocacy is not abstract. Dunya actively mentors young Saudi girls, encouraging them to pursue taekwondo and believe in their potential. She uses her public platform to speak about the importance of equal opportunities and media representation, pushing back against stereotypes that once told girls like her that they didn’t belong in the ring.

A Win for Every Saudi

Dunya Abutaleb’s success is deeply aligned with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national roadmap for transformation. Her achievements reflect the broader momentum toward female empowerment, international competitiveness, and cultural pride.

Through her discipline, Dunya has shown that the Saudi woman is not just capable, she’s world-class. Through her visibility, she’s helped normalize the image of women in combat sports. And through her resilience, she’s reminded us that every barrier can be broken with enough heart, faith, and preparation.

The Journey Continues

With the Olympics behind her and a growing list of titles, Dunya Abutaleb isn’t done yet. She’s training harder, dreaming bigger, and aiming higher. The gold she spoke of? She’s still chasing it. And knowing her story, it’s only a matter of time. To Saudi Arabia, she’s a national treasure.

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