THIS WEEK saw third place finishes by Egyptians in two martial arts sports: taekwondo and karate. In taekwondo, Hedaya Malak claimed the bronze medal at the US Open after a hand injury forced her to pull out while playing the semi-final against an American opponent despite leading the first two rounds 4-1. A disappointed Malak took to her Facebook page and wrote, “Couldn't make it to the final in spite of winning the semi till the 2nd round... but I am sure God knows best.” Al-Sawi The Egyptian bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games had won a gold at the Egypt Open the week before. The 25-year-old Malak was scheduled to return to Cairo to start medical treatment immediately which might include surgery. Malek In karate, Shaimaa Abul-Yazid claimed a gold medal in the +86 kg at the Austrian Karate Open Series A. In the same competition, Ali Al-Sawi claimed a silver in the 67 kg, Malek Salama also took the bronze medal in the -60kg, while teammate Gianna Farouk won bronze in the -61kg in the event that was held from 1-3 March. The Egyptian champion Farouk beat Switzerland's Noyemi Korenfeld for third place.
