HIS Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian works and Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa accomplished a major international achievement by winning the World Endurance Championship held yesterday at the Boudheib International Endurance Village, UAE, over a distance of 160km.
The event featured 126 riders, both men and women, representing 36 countries around the world.
Shaikh Nasser won the race in a time of 7 hours, 36 minutes and 39 seconds, ahead of UAE rider Salem Al Ketbi and Spain’s Ponte Jauimi.
Royal Endurance teammate Jaffar Mirza came fourth in 7:59:38.
This was the Bahraini star’s first win in the world championship, thus writing a new chapter in his glittering endurance career. The victory came just a few months after Shaikh Nasser’s victory in the FEI World Endurance Championship for eight-year-old horses in Spain.
Following the victory, Shaikh Nasser stressed that His Majesty’s presence played a key role in his performance.
He thanked the King and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their continued support for Bahraini sports, and endurance in particular, which has contributed to the Bahrainis’ constant achievements.
Shaikh Nasser affirmed that the championship’s different stages witnessed difficult and strong competitions in light of the windy weather that accompanied the race.
He said: “The race exhibited different obstacles, but we managed to keep our lead after the second stage. The contest was strong with riders from the UAE, Britain, Spain, and Uruguay vying for glory.”
Shaikh Nasser dominated the stages of the race from the start, relying on the technical plan that he developed and succeeded in implementing thanks to his skills and rich experience.
Meanwhile, Supreme Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa was also present to follow and support Shaikh Nasser throughout the race and congratulated him on the win.
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