Ahmed Walid Al Tamimi, a member of the UAE skateboarding national team, opens his participation in the World Championship in the Italian capital Rome on Wednesday — an event that serves as one of the qualifying stages for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Al Tamimi completed his final preparations in Rome ahead of the championship, which is organised by the World Skate federation and features 440 athletes representing 66 countries.
Through the competition, athletes will begin accumulating points recognised within the global skateboarding rankings, which form the basis for determining those who advance through subsequent stages of Olympic qualification. Al Tamimi marks his presence at the event as the first Emirati to compete in the men's category.
His Excellency Saeed Al Ajel, President of the UAE Sports for All Federation, said that Al Tamimi's participation in the Rome championship is an important milestone in the development of skateboarding, particularly as the event is one of the most prestigious world championships and carries the greatest influence on the international rankings. He noted the federation's commitment to supporting athletes and enabling them to compete on the world's biggest stages, in order to strengthen the UAE's presence in international sport.
Al Ajel added that what distinguishes this participation is that the championship comprises two categories — one for men and one for women — with no age divisions, meaning that Al Tamimi, despite his young age, will compete directly against athletes with extensive international and Olympic experience, helping to develop his technical level and enhance his chances of accumulating the points needed in the world rankings on the road to the 2028 Olympics.