Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Team Abu Dhabi aquabike champion Rashed Al Mulla is gearing up for a decisive showdown as he aims to secure his seventh world title in the Freestyle category of the UIM Aquabike World Championship.
The second and final round of the championship will take place in Olbia, on the Italian island of Sardinia, from October 16 to 18, with Al Mulla determined to add another prestigious title to his remarkable international career.
Al Mulla heads into the championship decider at the top of the overall standings with 50 points, following an outstanding performance in the opening round held in Shanghai, China, earlier this month. The Team Abu Dhabi star secured maximum points by winning both Freestyle motos, underlining his strong form and readiness to challenge for the world crown.
The Olbia round carries particular significance as it will determine the 2026 world champion, with some of the sport's leading Freestyle competitors expected to battle for the title. Al Mulla will be looking to capitalise on his championship lead and deliver another exceptional performance, combining technical precision, skill and creativity in his routines to strengthen his chances of securing the title.
The Emirati star boasts an impressive record on the international stage, having claimed six Freestyle world titles in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024. After finishing runner-up in last season's championship, he returns this year with renewed determination to reclaim the world crown and add another achievement to the UAE's growing legacy in international marine sports.
Al Mulla's participation reflects Team Abu Dhabi's continued presence and competitiveness on the international stage, in line with Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club's strategy to support elite athletes, strengthen their capabilities across major world championships, and provide the technical and administrative resources necessary to sustain sporting excellence and reinforce Abu Dhabi's position in global marine sports.
Al Mulla stressed that the Olbia round represents a crucial stage in his campaign, noting that his championship lead following the Shanghai opener provides additional motivation to maintain his focus and achieve his ultimate objective.
"We head into the final round with great ambition and a strong determination to secure my seventh world title. We understand that the competition will be challenging, given the high standards of the other competitors, but we have the confidence, experience and determination to deliver our very best performance," Al Mulla said.
"Our goal is to conclude the season with another achievement for Team Abu Dhabi and to raise the UAE flag high on the podium."
He added: "The continuous support we receive from Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club is one of the key factors behind our success. It gives us the motivation to keep competing at the highest level, and we are determined to translate that support into a result worthy of Abu Dhabi and the UAE's standing in international marine sports."
The Italian round gets underway on Friday with practice and qualifying sessions, followed by further competition on Saturday and Sunday, culminating in the crowning of the 2026 world champions.
Team Abu Dhabi will be aiming to conclude its championship campaign with another world title, further reinforcing its reputation as one of the leading teams in international aquabike racing.
