United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the first Arab country to win a medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiro as Sergiu Toma clinched bronze in the men's judo under 81 kgs class on Tuesday defeating Italy's Matteo Marconcini.

The 29-year-old Toma is a three-time Olympian from Moldova and took the Emirati citizenship in 2013. He is one of three Moldovan judokas representing the UAE at Rio.

"In Moldova it is not so possible like in the Emirates -- a sport career is short," Toma was quoted as saying by Emirati newspapers about his choice to represent the UAE.

Sergiu Toma (AP)

"I want to say thank you to the UAE because they give our guys a chance to represent the UAE. We always believe and always did all that was possible to be in the top level," he added.

This is the second Olympic medal ever in the history of the UAE. The first was for Ahmed bin Hasher Al Maktoum who won gold in double trap at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Sergiu Toma (AP)

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