Hala Al-Qadi
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| Native name | حلا القاضي | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Palestinian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Deir Istiya, West Bank, Palestine | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | Birzeit University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | Palestine | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Karate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Event | Kumite −68 kg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Hala Al-Qadi (Arabic: حلا القاضي) is a Palestinian karateka. She participates in the women’s kumite −68 kg category. She was widely recognized after winning a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, making her the first Palestinian woman to win a medal at the Asian Games.[1]
Early life
Hala Al-Qadi was born in Deir Istiya in the Palestinian West Bank.[2] She started practicing karate at the age 7, initially as a hobby and to spend summer vacations.[3] She moved up through the ranks from local, regional, and finally to international competitions for Palestine. She is a member of the Palestinian national karate team.[1]
Al-Qadi is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Birzeit University in the West Bank.[3]
Career
Before Al-Qadi's victory at the Asian Games, she won medals from a number of regional championships, such as the Asian Karate Championship.[4]
In February 2019, Al-Qadi won a gold medal at the West Asia Karate Championship in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.[5][6] In September 2019, Al-Qadi won gold in Istanbul Karate Championship competing against athletes from around 40 countries.[7]
In 2023, she earned a silver medal at the Arab Games in Algeria in the women’s kumite −68 kg category.[4][8]
Asian Games medal
At the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, She won the bronze medal in the Woman’s kumite-68 kilograms (150 lb) category.[3][9] In the bronze medal match, she beat Chao Jou of Chinese Taipei with a score of 6-3.[10][2][11]
She is the first Palestinian woman and the second Palestinian citizen after Munir Abu-Keshek[12] to win an Asian Games medal.[10][13]
Later recognition and roles
In 2025, Hala Al-Qadi was elected to the Athletes Committee of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association.[14]
The Palestinian Olympic Committee nominated Al-Qadi in recognition of her achievements and contributions to women’s sports in Palestine.[14]
See also
- Munir Abu-Keshek, first Palestinian Asian Games medalist
References
- ^ a b sajadi. "Hala Al-Qadi, The First Palestinian Female Athlete to Win Asian Games Medal - MINA News Agency". en.minanews.net. Archived from the original on 2025-08-19. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ^ a b "Feature: Palestinian karateka brings first Asiad medal in 21 years to conflict-torn country". english.news.cn. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
- ^ a b c Joseph, Mohammad (2023-11-24). "Hala Al-Qadi: "Training is the only outlet for me in the current circumstances"". Sports Gazette. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ^ a b "All 4 Palestine | Hala Al-Qadi". www.all4palestine.org. Archived from the original on 2025-02-10. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ^ "ISSA - الاتحاد الرياضي للتضامن الإسلامي |". issa.sport. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
- ^ "Gold medal for student in Istanbul Karate Championship". Birzeit University. 2019-10-15. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ^ "Gold for Palestine in Istanbul Karate Championship". WAFA Agency. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ^ "Student Hala Qadi earns silver medal at 2023 Arab Games in Algeria". Birzeit University. 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ^ "Palestinian Athlete Makes History at Asian Games in China". www.radionisaa.ps. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
- ^ a b "OCA » Hala Al-Qadi achieves historic feat: Bestows Palestine with Asian Games bronze". oca.asia. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ^ "Palestinian Girl Makes History at Asian Games". DOP - Days of Palestine. 2023-10-05. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- ^ Press, The Associated. "Palestinian boxer wins landmark medal". Haaretz.com. Archived from the original on 2024-12-17. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
- ^ "After historic medal, Palestinian karateka Hala Alqadi wants peace for her homeland". The Straits Times. 2023-12-16. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ^ a b "Hala Al-Qadi elected to athletes committee of Islamic Solidarity Sports Association". WAFA Agency. Retrieved 2026-02-19.