Dubai: More than 700 swimmers representing 35 clubs and academies from across the UAE were in full flow showcasing high levels of skill and widespread acclaim as the Dubai Open Swimming Academies Championship 2026 came to a successful conclusion, this week.

The Dubai Open Swimming Academies Championship 2026 was organised by the Dubai Sports Council in cooperation with the UAE Swimming Federation and operational partners Apex Academy, Speedo Swimming Team, and Hamilton Aquatics Academy.

The championship witnessed a high level of competition and received widespread praise. The championship, held on May 9 and 10 at the Hamdan Sports Complex, was part of the Dubai Sports Council’s 2030 strategic plan to discover and develop emerging talent in aquatics, while supporting aquatic sports and creating a professional competitive environment that will contribute in preparing a new generation of future champions capable of representing the UAE at the international stage.

High level of competition

The races witnessed fierce competition across all age categories with Salma Al Deeb of Tyneside Club among those who excelling while securing the first place in the 200-meter butterfly in the 12-year-old category with a time of 2:53.60 minutes.

Also creating a splash was Lorenz Ratwisti of the Francis Sports Academy as he went on to win the same race in the 13-year-old category with a time of 2:48.58 minutes. Amira Abu Yabes (Hamilton Aquatics) shone in the 14-year-old category with a time of 2:50.20 minutes, while Gia Besmargi made it a double for Tyneside Club winning the 15+ category in a time of 2:30.38 minutes.

In the boys 200m butterfly, Michael Haddati (Tyneside Club) topped the 12-year-old category with a time of 2:51.85, while Alp Kapar Yuksel achieved a time of 2:28.49 in the 13-year-old category.

Abdulrahman Hussein (Hamilton Aquatics) took first place in the 14-year-old category with a time of 2:28.53, and Mark Milburn (Pro Active Club) won the 15+ category with a time of 2:12.42.

Records and rising talents

The sprint races witnessed remarkable performances, with Anastasia Zinchenko (Nai Kai Club) achieving an impressive time of 25.76 seconds in the 50m freestyle and 1:02.10 in the 100m backstroke. In the boys’ category, Youssef Ayad (Fit Republic) clocked 23.94 seconds in the 50m freestyle, while Aaron Cebrado (Westford Sport) recorded 58.86 seconds in the 100m backstroke.

In the 200m freestyle, Omar Khader (Nai Kai) took first place with a time of 1:55.84 and Talin Zayed (Tyneside) topped the women’s category with a time of 2:11.61. Later, she also went on to win the individual 100m individual medley in 1:08.21 and the 100m butterfly in 1:06.74.

In the men’s events, Youssef Ayad (Fit Republic) finished first with a time of 23.94 seconds in the 50m freestyle, and Aaron Cebrado (Westford Sport) recorded a time of 58.86 seconds in the 100m backstroke.

Swimmer Timur Salikhov (Hamilton Aquatics) also distinguished himself by achieving several first-place finishes, most notably in the 200m freestyle with a time of 2:03.68, the 200m individual medley with a time of 2:21.36, and the 100m individual medley with a time of 1:06.88.

A platform for development

Ahmed Salem Al Mahri, Director of Sports Talent Management at the Dubai Sports Council, was impressed with the high standard of the competition. “The championship has become a true platform for discovering talent and selecting outstanding swimmers with promising potential that can be developed within long-term future programs, in cooperation with clubs, academies, and coaches. There was close technical monitoring of the swimmers’ levels, and a large number of talented swimmers were identified who showed clear development and potential that qualifies them to reach advanced competitive levels in the coming years,” he remarked.

Al Mahri added: “The championship was distinguished as a model of cooperation between the public and private sectors. It was held in partnership between the Dubai Sports Council, the UAE Swimming Federation, and Apex Sports Academy, the championship’s organising partner, in collaboration with the Speedo Swimming Team and Hamilton Aquatics Academy. This initiative aligns so well with a developmental vision aimed at supporting Emirati swimming, discovering promising talents, and creating a professional competitive environment that contributes to preparing a new generation of champions.”

A crucial event

The organising committee emphasized that the resounding success of this edition reflects the significant progress swimming has witnessed in the UAE and the pivotal role played by the Hamdan Sports Complex as a world-class facility that contributes to the success of major events. Coaches and technical experts noted that the championship has become a key event on the local swimming calendar, providing the necessary competitive experience to develop swimmers’ technical and mental abilities under meticulous technical supervision to identify talents and guide them towards a professional career.