Post by : Badri Ariffin

Dubai is preparing to host one of the most significant global open-water events this year, as the OCEANMAN World Finals make a return to Kite Beach from December 5 to 7. This year’s edition will see over 2,800 swimmers from 93 countries participate, making it the largest gathering in the series' history and underscoring Dubai's status as a top sports destination.

Organised in conjunction with the Dubai Sports Council, the championship will witness competitors in men's, women's, and children's events. The impressive turnout includes over 1,200 national champions along with numerous Olympians venturing to the UAE. Approximately 80% of these participants are traveling from overseas just for this event, underscoring the global appeal of Dubai's sporting calendar.

This year's lineup boasts many of the world's elite open-water swimmers. Among the women are Barbara Pozzobon, Giulia Gabbrielleschi, and Rachele Bruni, while the men's field features names like Logan Fontaine and Domenico Acerenza.

The competition kicks off on Friday with professional races, followed by team, sprint, and children's events on Saturday. Qualified swimmers from worldwide OCEANMAN events will participate in challenging 10 km and 5 km races, enhancing the competitive spirit at Kite Beach.

Returning to Dubai's waters are athletes like Ukrainian Olympic swimmer Mykhailo Romanchuk, who has been part of this event for five years. First-time visitor Leonie Beck, another Olympic swimmer, expressed her excitement about Dubai's impressive scale, noting the unique racing opportunities the beachfront venue offers.

As Dubai stages this world-class sporting event along its iconic coastline, the OCEANMAN World Finals promise to deliver a weekend filled with exhilarating races, a diverse range of international participants, and showcase the city’s capability of hosting major global competitions.

#Global News #Dubai #UAE News