By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: World Champion Yousef Al-Abdulrazzaq took the first place in the sitting professional's category of Aquabikes, followed by UAE's Marcus Jorgensen and France's Jeremy Perez was third, at the conclusion of the first round of the Aquabike World Championship of 2020 season.

The championship concluded on Saturday at the Marina beach, organized by Kuwait Sea Sports Club under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Al-Abdullrazzaq also won first place in the men's sitting slaloms followed by UAE's Marcus Jorgensen and Ali Al-Linqawi in third place.

The closing ceremony was attended by Deputy Director General of Public Authority for Sport Dr Saqer Al-Mulla, President of International Federation Raffaele Chiulli, Kuwait Olympic in the first world championship it organizes, which makes it the focus of world champion. He said "I was pleased with the success of this championship, which prompts us to welcome Kuwait's wish to organize any Aquabike World Championship in the future."

Chiulli said competition was fierce of high standards with the participation of the best riders in the world, which added to the excitement from beginning to end in the four categories. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Kuwait Sea Sport Club Mohammad Al-Zanki lauded the efforts of all those who contributed to the success of the world championship. He said the closing day was the crowning of the committees efforts, and the win of Kuwait's champion Yousef Al-Abdulrazzaq made us much happier.

Deserved win
Champion Yousuf Al-Abdulrazzaq said he is so happy for winning the world championship in committee of secretary general Hussein Al-Musallam, Kuwait Sea Sports Club Chairman Mohammad Al-Zanki and several sponsors of the championship.

Amir's support
Dr Saqer Al-Mulla said he was honored to attend the closing of the first round of the World Aquabike Championship, held for the first time in Kuwait, under the patronage of HH the Amir who believes in youth and supported them always, giving our athletes strength and determination to compete and win titles in the name of Kuwait. Al-Mulla thanked chairman and members of Kuwait Sea Sport Club and all committees who were up to the ambitions and fulfilled the vision we sought four months ago about this championship.

International praise
President of the Aquabike International Federation Italy's Rafaele Chiulli said Kuwait gained full marks in organization and administration for the first time. He said this is a historic achievement and hope to organize more world championships in future.

Ideal championship
Public Relations Director of Kuwait Sea Sports Club Salman Al-Khulaifan said competitions of the second and final day saw strong competition between riders who wanted to win, and deserved it due to the levels they displayed all along the championship. He said Kuwait proved that it deserves to host various competitions, adding that Kuwait has many champions in aquabike races. Norway's Stian Schjetlein won first place in the standing senior professional's category for men, followed by Spain's Nacho Armillas and UAE's Kevin Reiterer third.

In the women's category French Jessica Chavanne won first place, Swedne's Emma-Nellie Ortendah second, while Polish rider Liza Kazeen won third place. In the free style category UAE's Rashed Al-Mulla won first place, followed by Spain's Mariani and Italy's Nounes ended in third. Norway's Anderson won first place in the standing slaloms, while his compatriot Sajtlen won second place and Italian Seezabo won third.