In a short period, Saudi combat sports athlete Hattan Al-Saif has made her mark in international championship cages, capturing the admiration of millions of fans both inside and outside the Kingdom. Her clips are widely shared across various apps, websites, and media, signaling the arrival of a true star in the martial arts scene not just at the Arab and Gulf levels, but globally.
One particular moment that gained immense popularity on social media was when Hattan, renowned for her powerful kicks, displayed provocative moves in front of her opponent, the Egyptian fighter Iman Baraka, during their match in the Professional Fighters League in Saudi Arabia. She alternated between smiling, stepping forward, and then stepping back before launching an attack on Baraka, who chose to withdraw after injuring her foot.
Since her previous fight against Egyptian fighter Nada Faheem, Hattan has garnered attention, inspiring many young women who practice martial arts or sports in general. Her determination and challenge against established champions have made her one of the promising names in the sport.
Hattan vowed to raise her country's flag in international arenas. Entering the sport at just 19 years old, she quickly secured her place among champions and now practices sports as a way of life, despite her university degree in medical secretarial studies.
Hattan shares the support she receives on social media from Saudis: "I lost my father and mother at a young age, and I felt like my skin had been peeled off, but my Lord compensated me by having the entire Saudi people stand by me. My Lord compensated me with my country." She adds in an interview for the "Government Communication" account: "I want to elevate the name of Saudi Arabia everywhere; I see the world as small and wish to showcase our name globally."
Hattan began practicing martial arts only three years ago, but she has achieved significant victories. She explains: "I entered the sport at 19, and during these three years, I won my first championship, which was the World Championship, earning a bronze medal. After that, I participated in a boxing event in Riyadh and won a gold medal, then I competed in Thai boxing in Riyadh and won gold again, followed by a bronze in the Arab Championship, and participated in the World Championship for the second time, earning another gold medal."
Although Hattan's academic background is in a field unrelated to her sport, she focused entirely on martial arts after graduating. She recounts, "After graduating, I dedicated my focus to sports completely; my days became continuous workouts, a lifestyle, and achievements. I remember my first day at the gym; I trained and, within a week, there was a competition. My coach encouraged me to participate, but I hesitated, claiming to be a beginner; however, he insisted I try, and I entered but lost. It's natural to lose; nothing comes easily, as you cannot train for a week and expect to win a medal."
Speaking about her sport, she says, "Previously, each athlete claimed their sport was superior to the others. Then, mixed martial arts emerged, encompassing karate, taekwondo, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and boxing which are standing sports. We also have ground sports like jiu-jitsu, wrestling, judo, grappling, and wrestling – all are ground sports. Mixed martial arts combine these disciplines to achieve the best performance you seek."
Recently, Hattan became linked with Saudi fighter Abdullah Al-Qahtani, who practices the same sport. He noted, after her victory against Iman Baraka: "Thank God, the result was expected. I was with her in training camp and saw her preparations. She was fully ready, and I anticipated a big win from her. We are proud of what happened today as a family."
Regarding her attention-grabbing moves toward fighter Iman Baraka during the match, which some view as provocative expressions of confidence, Hattan stated, "The move was a reflection of my enjoyment in this fight, as it was longer and more enjoyable, unlike my first fight with Nada Faheem, which ended quickly with a knockout and didn't allow me the chance to savor the moment."
Day by day, the popularity of Saudi fighter Hattan Al-Saif continues to rise, bolstered by her positive results in the first two seasons of professional fighters' matches held in Saudi Arabia this year.
