Al Amerat clinch Oman open water overall crown

MUSCAT: Al Amerat Club claimed the overall title of the 17th Oman Open Water Swimming Championship at Qurum Beach on Friday, emerging on top of the combined junior and senior standings after a competitive 3 km race.
Organised by the Oman Aquatics Federation (OAF), the championship saw Al Amerat finish first in the junior team standings, ahead of Bausher. Bausher topped the senior classification, with Al Amerat second, but the combined results handed the overall crown to Al Amerat.
The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Eng Adnan bin Mohammed al Alawi, Chief Executive Officer of Awasr, in the presence of Dr Awadh bin Salim al Ojaili, OAF Chairman, federation officials and club representatives. The event attracted 39 swimmers from 12 affiliated clubs.
In the junior individual competition, Al Amerat's Khalil al Hassani claimed first place, followed by Bausher's Mahmoud Awlad Thani and Mohammed al Wahaibi.
Bausher dominated the senior individual podium, with Ibrahim al Wahaibi and Mishal al Kulaibi finishing first and second respectively. Al Amerat's Ali al Hosni took third place.
Dr Awadh al Ojaili said the annual championship provided an important opportunity to assess swimmers, identify emerging talent and strengthen Oman's open water programme. He praised the rivalry between Al Amerat and Bausher, saying their investment in swimming and cooperation with the federation were helping develop athletes capable of representing Oman internationally.
He added that Oman's upcoming Arab championship assignment in Bahrain would involve pool swimming rather than open water events. The federation was also working to arrange other open water competitions following the cancellation of the planned event in Tunisia.
Chief referee Qasim Mohammed al Ajmi described the race as fast and closely contested, with swimmers from both categories featuring prominently among the leaders. He said the officiating team included officials with international, Asian, Gulf and Arab competition experience.
INTENSE PREPARATION
Senior champion Ibrahim al Wahaibi, an Oman national team swimmer, said his victory followed two weeks of intensive preparation. Having expected to finish second or third, he was particularly pleased with the result and said it would motivate him ahead of upcoming competitions.
Junior winner Khalil al Hassani credited careful race planning and preparation for his success, adding that the victory had encouraged him to pursue further podium finishes.
Eng Adnan al Alawi praised the swimmers' determination, describing completion of the 3 km sea race as an achievement requiring endurance, commitment and sustained training. He congratulated the participants and acknowledged the efforts of the federation.
The championship forms part of the OAF's efforts to expand participation, strengthen club involvement and identify talent capable of competing at Gulf and Arab level, with Oman's extensive coastline offering considerable potential for the development of open water swimming.