Doha, 11 January 2024 - Organized as per the regulations of the Arab Aquatics Confederation, the 2nd Arab Aquatics Age Group Championships kicked off on with an opening ceremony and the swimming competitions held at Aspire Dome.
The Championships will act as a crucial test event ahead of the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 and will run from January 10th to 15th in three separate venues: Aspire Dome, Hamad Aquatic Centre and Old Doha Port.
The Arab Aquatics Age Group Championships will feature participation of more than 300 young talents coming from 17 Arab countries to compete across three Aquatic sports including swimming, water polo and open water swimming.
Serving as a trial to test the readiness of venues, facilities, logistics, operations and the hosting teams, the Arab Aquatics Age Group Championships will set the stage for the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024, scheduled to take place for the first time in the Middle East from February 2nd to 18th.
Day one of the Championships saw the start of the swimming competitions in all age groups (13-14, 15-16, and 17-18) across multiple male and female events. Following the morning session, an opening ceremony was held at Aspire Dome where the participating countries’ flags were showcased along with an opening remark delivered by Khalil al-Jaber, President of the Qatar Swimming Association.
In the 13-14 age group event, Romayssae Mouissa from Morocco won the girl’s 50m butterfly. The age group category 17-18 in the girl’s 50m butterfly event was secured by Sihem Midouni from Algeria.
In the 13-14 age group event, Angela Doumanian from Lebanon won the girl’s 200m freestyle. The 15-16 age group category saw the winning of Lana Hijazi from Lebanon in the girl’s 200m freestyle. The final age group category 17-18 in the girl’s and boy’s 200m freestyle events were secured by Sihem Midouni from Algeria and Mohamed Alzaki from KSA respectively.
Clinching gold in the mixed 4x100m freestyle events were team Tunisia (13-14 age group), team Lebanon (15-16 age group) and team Algeria (17-18 age group).
The evening session following the opening ceremony, continued with competitions in the 50m breaststroke, 800m freestyle, and 4x200m freestyle. Winning gold in the girl’s 50m breaststroke (13-14 age category) was Thea Obeid from Lebanon while Lynn El Hajj from Lebanon won in the (15-16 age group) and Leen Aiasah from Syria won in the (17-18 age category).
The boy’s 50m breaststroke event saw the winning of Aziz Baraket from Tunisia (17-18 age category).
The boy’s 800m freestyle (15-16 age group) was won by Heni Mesfar from Tunisia while Lana Hijazi from Lebanon won the girl’s 800m freestyle (15-16 age group). In the boys 800m freestyle (17-18 age group), Ilias El Fallaki from Morocco won gold, and Samara Abdellaoui from Algeria won the 800m freestyle (17-18 age group).
Celebrating their victory on the podium for girl’s 4x200m freestyle was team Lebanon (13-14 age category).
Top spots on the podium for boy’s 200m individual medley went to Team Qatar (15-16 age category), and Team Algeria (17-18 age category).
The largest participation at the 2nd Arab Aquatics Age Group Championships is seen by Team Algeria competing with 58 athletes followed by Team KSA having 45 participants and Team Qatar being represented by 43 young athletes across all three sports.
Attendance to the Arab Aquatics Championships is free for everyone, the public is encouraged to be part of the aquatic celebration while the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 undertakes final preparations.
