Vikhor wins men’s title, Saudi bag teams crown at Sharjah Paragliding Championship

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Saudi Arabia’s "Shaheen" won the team’s title while Belarusian Yuhenny Vikhor bagged gold at the fourth edition of the Sharjah International Paragliding Championship. The three-day championship concluded successfully in the Jebel Al Faya area on Sunday.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Executive Council, the championship featured the participation of top paragliders representing 20 countries.

The Saudi Arabian team amassed 197 points to clinch the top spot and the gold medal in the championship, capping off one of the most successful competitions in recent memory.

The Albanian team came in second place with 268 points and won silver, while the joint teams from Russia and Belarus came in third place after securing 272 points to bag bronze.

Maintaining his upper hand, Belarusian Vikhor kept his lead intact with 18 points and won the cup and gold in the men’s category of the competition.

Nikita Mlenkova of Russia finished second with 20 points and won the silver medal after being tied on points with teammate Edward Dassi, who finished third after another leap was used to determine the position.

Bulgarian Lydia Deshrnova won the women's competition with 310 points. Anastasia Zubkova of Russia came in second with 1412 points, and Bora Morena of Albania came in third with 1615 points.

Winners pose with the dignitaries after the presentation ceremony.

Sheikh Tariq Bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Emirates Investment Group, Sheikh Salem Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi, President of the Emirates Aerosports Federation, Yousef Hasen Alhamadi, Vice-President of the Emirates Aerosports Federation, Mohammed Yousef, Secretary General of Emirates Aerosports Federation, and members of the board of directors graced the final day of the championship.

Sheikh Salem expressed his delight over the success and his satisfaction with the championship's technical and organizational accomplishments and the promotion of tourism in the UAE in general and Sharjah in particular.

He noted that the championship is one of Sharjah's most successful events, not just because of the number of paragliders participating but also because it is a source of attraction.

"The Al Faya Mountains are distinguished for the general public and tourists by their distinct position, and no other place in the world compares to this one. I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the Emirates Aerosports Federation family and the championship organizing committee," said Sheikh Salem.

Hazami praised the championship's organizers' efforts and expressed his satisfaction with the results they had accomplished over the previous four years.

He also hailed the productive and positive collaboration of the Sharjah Sports Council with the Emirates Aerosports Federation.

Neyadi expressed gratitude to Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and the Chairman of the Executive Council, for supporting what has grown to be one of the most significant events in the region and the world.

Neyadi emphasised the significance of collaboration and joint efforts between governmental entities and the private sector.

He also expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped make the competition successful, including the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Sports Council, Sharjah Police, and Sharjah Municipality.