26 Medals Lead Qatari Swimming to the Top of the Standings.

The curtain came down on the swimming competitions of the 4th Gulf Games – Doha 2026 after four days full of excitement and intense competition, marked by clear Qatari dominance in both results and medal standings, in an edition that reflected the rapid development of Gulf swimming in general and Qatari swimming in particular.

Qatari swimmers imposed their superiority from the opening day of the competitions on May 12, achieving new Gulf records in both timings and medal counts. Benefiting from high technical and physical readiness, as well as valuable experience gained from recent continental and international participations, they maintained a strong presence on the podium throughout the championship.

The competitions featured some of the Gulf’s top swimmers in sprint, distance, and relay events, with fierce competition among the national teams. However, Team Qatar successfully secured the top position thanks to their balanced team performance and the outstanding results achieved by their swimmers across various categories.

Qatari swimming topped all events, raising its tally to 26 medals: 13 gold, 9 silver, and 4 bronze medals, to deservedly claim first place and reaffirm its position as one of the leading Gulf powers in aquatic sports in recent years.

Qatar’s achievement came as a result of a series of strong performances delivered by the swimmers across different races, with several athletes winning multiple medals. Young talents also emerged alongside experienced swimmers, reflecting the success of the development and preparation programs adopted by the Qatar Aquatics Federation to build a competitive base capable of excelling regionally and continentally.

Qatar’s superiority was not limited to the number of medals alone, but also extended to the quality of performances and technical standards displayed throughout the competitions. Qatari swimmers achieved remarkable times in several races while maintaining consistent positive results throughout the championship, giving the team a clear advantage in the overall standings.

Relay races were also among the key moments that strengthened Qatar’s dominance, as the swimmers demonstrated excellent harmony and the ability to manage races under pressure. The competitions witnessed closely matched levels among several Gulf teams, adding further excitement until the final day.

Qatari swimmers Saad Al-Din Sami Saad Al-Din, Mohammed Mahmoud, Emil Fawzi, Tamim Al-Hamaideh, Hamza Shaalan, and Mohammed Aziz Ismail delivered strong performances, directly contributing to Qatar’s impressive medal haul and confirming the continued progress of Qatari swimming and its ability to compete strongly in regional and continental championships.

Qatari swimmers particularly excelled in the 1500m freestyle, 200m breaststroke, 400m freestyle, 100m butterfly, and 50m backstroke events amid strong competition from elite Gulf swimmers. The championship also witnessed the setting of a new Gulf record, highlighting the high technical level displayed throughout the tournament.

For his part, Mr. Mubarak Bin Ali Al Nuaimi, President of the Qatar Aquatics Federation, stated that the competitions were strong and technically distinguished, praising the performances of the Qatari swimmers and the competitive spirit they showed throughout the championship.

In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Nuaimi added that Qatar’s medal tally reflects the tremendous efforts made during the past period, whether in preparing the national teams or developing training programs. He stressed that winning 26 medals is a positive indicator ahead of upcoming events, most notably the 20th Asian Games scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in 2026.

Al Nuaimi pointed out that the Gulf championship represented an important opportunity to test the swimmers’ readiness and evaluate their technical levels in a highly competitive environment. He noted that the next phase would focus on continuing efforts to enhance results and raise performance standards in line with the ambitions of Qatari sports on the continental and international stages.

The competitions also reflected Qatar’s significant commitment to aquatic sports through the provision of advanced facilities and modern preparation programs, which have contributed to the emergence of a new generation of swimmers capable of representing Qatari sports with distinction at major championships.

With the conclusion of the swimming events, Team Qatar further strengthened its lead in the competitions by winning 26 medals, reaffirming the continuous progress of Qatari swimming and its ability to compete strongly in Gulf and continental events.