CAMPAIGN FOR GOLD AND PEACE

Palestinian karateka Alqadi sets sights on world title after historic Asiad bronze

- Jeremiah Ong

Like many athletes in her homeland, Palestine karateka Hala Alqadi does not know what the future holds for her owing to the ongoing conflict between Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and neighbouring Israel in the western enclave of Gaza.

It was not a situation she expected to find herself in, particularly on Oct 5, when she stood on the podium at the Asian Games, smiling as her women's kumite 68kg bronze medal was placed around her neck.

Her Hangzhou heroics made her Palestine's first female Asiad medallist and only the second from the state to do so since Munir AbuKeshek took bronze in men's boxing more than two decades ago.

But any celebrations, especially in the de facto administrative Palestinian capital of Ramallah in the West Bank where she had trained.

for 15 years, had to be swiftly cut short.

While the 22-year-old was locked in a fierce battle for the bronze with former Asian Games medallist Chao Jou of Chinese Taipei, her homeland was soon mired in another skirmish of its own.