The excellence of Kurdish athletes continues to reach beyond the borders of Kurdistan, with champions emerging as prominent competitors and record holders on the international stage.
Mabast Fayaq is one such athlete. Recently, he returned to the Kurdistan Region with a silver medal from a major European karate championship held in Russia, proudly representing Kurdish athletes.
Competing in the 84-kilogram weight class, Mabast advanced through multiple rounds against athletes from 24 different countries, ultimately reaching the final match. Though he fell just short of gold, his performance earned him a well-deserved silver medal.
A native of Sulaymaniyah, Mabast has been a core member of the Iraqi national karate team for over five years and has ranked fifth at the Asian continental level. He previously claimed a gold medal at the Armenian championship and has participated in numerous world championships at his own expense, bringing home various medals.
Kurdish athletes continue to excel globally in individual sports such as boxing, MMA, and karate. Mabast’s silver medal is his latest accomplishment on a path driven by dedication and resilience. His dream remains clear: to win a world-level medal and raise the name of Kurdistan to new heights.
