DOHA : Aspire Academy’s student-athletes made a strong start to 2026, winning medals in international padel and swimming competitions and delivering notable performances at elite fencing events.
In padel, Aspire athletes captured gold in the under-14 category at the Doha Junior Padel Championship, part of the International Padel Federation Junior Tour. Seventh-grade student Nawaf Al-Yafai teamed up with Emirati Hamdan Al-Hashemi to claim the title, recovering from a first-set loss in the semi-finals before winning the final in straight sets. Aspire also secured silver in the boys’ under-16 category through tenth-grade student Issa Al-Kuwari and UAE partner Majid Al-Abdullah.
Aspire swimmers dominated Qatar’s medal haul at the 30th Gulf Swimming Championships, held in the United Arab Emirates, accounting for 11 of the nation’s 12 gold medals. The academy’s athletes collected a total of 10 individual gold medals across four age groups, alongside several silver and bronze awards.
Among the standout performers was tenth-grade student Adam Morsi, who won four individual medals in the 14–15 age group, including gold in all three breaststroke events. Rashid Al-Rumaihi also swept the breaststroke gold medals in the 16–17 category, while graduate Abdullah Al-Ghamri topped the podium twice in the over-18 backstroke events.
In fencing, Aspire Academy student Youssef Abdel-Tawab impressed at the Doha Grand Prix, an elite International Fencing Federation event, winning five of his seven épée bouts against more experienced opponents to reach the knockout stage. The 16-year-old was eventually eliminated by Portugal’s Felipe Frazão. Fellow Aspire fencer Abdulrahman Al-Jadra also advanced from the group stage before exiting narrowly in the first knockout round.
Aspire’s head fencing coach Hugo Dergall said the competitions were an important step in developing young talent.
“The aim was to gain experience at senior level,” Dergall said. “Qualifying from the group stage is an important first step, and we will build on that as the season progresses.”
Several other Aspire students and recent graduates also took part, gaining valuable international exposure as the academy continues to focus on long-term athlete development across multiple sports.
