KUWAIT: Emirati wakeboarding champion and Red Bull UAE athlete, Omeir Saeed has broken not one, but two Guinness World Record (GWR) titles this month. It comes as GWR celebrated its annual record-breaking "GWR Day" (18 November), this year celebrating the "creativity, dedication, and passion of people around the world following a year of lockdown and restrictions". Omeir, 23, beat the GWR titles for Farthest Wakeboard Ramp Jump (Male) and Most Wakeboard Rail Airs (Supermans) in 30 Seconds.

For his first record, Omeir achieved an impressive 21-metre jump, smashing the previous GWR of 15 metres held by France's Jerome Macquart since 2004. His second record saw him achieve 10 wakeboard rail airs in 30 seconds, doubling the previous record also set by Macquart back in 2005. Commenting on his wins, Omeir said: "If there is one thing that I learned from this experience, it is that we hold a big responsibility to inspire the younger generation, to transfer the message and share the passion.

"Having this global recognition in hand makes me proud as an Emirati, as this is certainly the jewel in the crown of so many years of achievement and success." It took three years for Omeir to go from amateur to professional, and that rapid rise showcases his passion for the sport and the drive that is required for any athlete to reach the top. Back in 2011, in Al Forsan Club in Abu Dhabi, a 15-year-old Omeir went to "mess about" on the water with his friends; his previous experience with snowboarding serving the youngster well, as he picked up the skills required to master wakeboarding incredibly quickly.

Omeir entered the first WWA World Championship in Abu Dhabi soon after picking up the sport, and instantly displayed his natural ability by finishing in fifth place - which only embedded the wakeboarding bug in him even further. To transform from amateur to professional in a few short years is a remarkable story and highlights Omeir's determination to succeed. This is shown through his interests outside the sport, competing in events like the Wings For Life World Run, the Spartan Race, and Desert Warrior Challenge.