Kuwait’s Al-Abdul-Razzaq wins 1st UIM-ABP Aquabike GPrix

Emirati Jorgensen settles for 2nd place, Perez of France finishes 3rd

Kuwait’s world champion Youssef Al-Abdul-Razzaq celebrates with fellow winners on the podium after winning the first UIM-ABP Aquabike Grand Prix.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 16: Kuwait’s world champion Youssef Al-AbdulRazzaq won the first UIM-ABP Aquabike Grand Prix of Kuwait organized by Marine Sports Club under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah via the international federation of the sports.

The second place was taken by Emirati Marcus Jorgensen and trailing him in third place was French Jeremy Perez at the end of the first round of the 2020 Aquabike World Championship which concluded Saturday evening at the Marina Beach.

Al-Abdul-Razzaq also won first place in the Runabout GP1 category, followed by Emirati Marcus Jorgensen in second and his compatriot Ali Al-Langawi in third.

Present at the closing ceremony were Deputy Director of the Public Authority for Sports Dr Saqr Al-Mulla, President of the Italian International Aquabike Federation Rafael Chioli, Secretary General of Kuwait Olympic Committee Hussein Al-Muslim, Chairman of Marine Sports Club Mohamed Al-Zanki and a number of sponsors.

Al-Mulla said

it is an honor to

Kuwait’s world champion Youssef Al-Abdul-Razzaq celebrates after winning the first UIM-ABP Aquabike Grand Prix.

attend the conclusion of the first round of the championship held for the first time in Kuwait under the esteem patronage of His Highness the Amir who believes and always supports the youths. He pointed out “this gives our heroes the strength and determination to compete and achieve titles in the name of Kuwait.”

He expressed sincere thanks to the chairperson, members of Marine

Sports Club and all committees involved in the championship; noting that they believe in the Kuwaiti youths and their ambitions – “the realization of the vision we sought four months ago in terms of this championship.”

Meanwhile, President of the Italian International Aquabike Federation Rafael Chioli affirmed that Kuwait achieved full marks on the organizational and administrative aspects to ensure the success of the first world championship held here; making it the center of the interests of world champions.

Chioli added: “I am very pleased with the success of the championship, which prompts us to welcome Kuwait whenever it expresses its desire to organize any world championship for water sports.”

He asserted the championship witnessed high-level competitions with the participation of the best competitors from all over the world; thereby, intensifying the competition for first positions until the last rounds in the four categories.

Furthermore, world champion Youssef Al-Abdul-Razzaq expressed his happiness for winning the world championship for the first time in Kuwait, let alone the fact that he had earlier achieved such victory several times outside Kuwait.

“This is a historic achievement. We are hoping to organize world championships in the future here in Kuwait. This affirms the strength of competition among participants, especially the Emirati stars,” Al-Abdul-Razzaq concluded.

But the 31-year-old former World No. 1 faltered briefly, bogeying the 14th and 16th holes and walking off the 16th green only two shots ahead of fast-finishing American Amy Olsen. Olsen had four birdies in a 3-under final round 70 and was in the clubhouse with an 11-under total of 281.

France’s Perrine Delacour and China’s Yu Liu also loomed into contention, though Liu faded with bogeys on her last three holes.

Park held her nerve, making birdie on the par-5 17th and par on the 18th to win her 20th LPGA title and to gain a ranking boost which lifts her chance of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games at which she will defend the gold medal.

As the winning putt dropped Park was showered with champagne. She signed for a 1-over 74 and a total of 278, finishing three clear of Olsen and four clear of Delacour who took outright third place at 10-under.

“It was a tough day out there today, really different to the last three days I