October 22, 2026
LAU Alumna Maria Chedid (BS ‘23) Wins Bronze for Lebanon at the 2026 Asian Games
The former LAU varsity futsal player brought home a podium finish in women’s doubles teqball at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, crediting university sports with the discipline that helped her reach the continental stage.
LAU alumna Maria Chedid (BS ’23) won a bronze medal for Lebanon in women’s doubles teqball at the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Japan. Currently ranked seventh worldwide, Chedid competed against some of Asia’s strongest players in a sport played on a curved table with a soccer ball, one that demands the footwork of football and the precision of table tennis.
Chedid described the moment as deeply emotional, explaining that “standing on the podium and seeing the Lebanese flag raised made all the years of hard work, sacrifices, and dedication worth it.” For her, the result means more than a place in the standings. “As a Lebanese athlete, every medal carries a meaning that goes beyond sport,” she said. “It is an opportunity to show the talent, determination, and resilience of our country on the international stage.”
Sport was already central to her life at LAU, where she earned a BS in Business with an emphasis in marketing, graduating with honors, while playing on the university’s varsity futsal team. That experience, she said, taught her to balance academics, training, competitions, and personal responsibilities, “skills that continue to help me today in both my professional and athletic careers.” She now relies on those same habits as she manages a professional career while competing internationally in teqball.
“Sport has always been a constant in my life, and I am grateful that LAU allowed me to continue pursuing that passion alongside my education,” she added.
Chedid encourages current LAU students with a passion for sport to join a varsity team, noting that the rewards extend well beyond athletic performance. “It teaches you teamwork, discipline, leadership, resilience, time management, and how to deal with both success and failure,” she said. “You don’t have to become a professional athlete to benefit from sport.”
For students who dream of competing internationally, she advised them “not to be afraid of taking risks.” “Coming from a small country like Lebanon should never limit the size of your ambitions.”