Wednesday 19 / March / 2025
Muscat: Equestrian rider Sultan Al Tooqi is still competing in the European championships in the hope of qualifying for the Rio Olympics, only days before the world’s biggest sporting event starts on August 5.
“Sultan had cleared two rounds in Holland in an official championship, which was on the list of the official events (recognised) by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). He still needs to qualify for two more rounds in show jumping without any fault and earn more points for entering into the Olympics,” said Hamood Al Tooqi, Sultan’s father-cum-trainer and a national champion himself.
Al Tooqi and Bella are currently competing in championships in Holland, France, and Belgium with Sultan’s trainer Ingride Van Der Weiden, where the 22-year-old rider is trying his best to put up a good show.
Back in 2010, Al Tooqi only aged 17 clinched the first ever Olympic medal for Oman, a silver medal at a show jumping team event during the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
He has also been preparing for the Rio Olympics for a few years now is quite optimistic about qualifying.
Al Tooqi was earlier practicing with a different horse, however when it died, his father bought him Bella, who was underage until last year and couldn’t compete in international events.
However, since Bella is now nine years old, she is allowed to take part in international championships as per the rules set by the FEI.
Hamood, who himself is a former national champion, said Al Tooqi is doing very well and should hopefully qualify for the Olympics if he puts up a good show in the other rounds and earns the points required.
According to Hamood, the Oman Equestrian Federation’s (OEF’s) Chairman Sayyid Mundhir bin Saif Al Busaidy has been the primary sponsor of Al Tooqi and Bella.
“Besides Sayyid Mundhir, I would also like to thank the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) and Sheikh Saad Al Saadi, the minister of Sports Affairs, who have all been very supportive and instrumental in Sultan reaching this level,” Hamood stated.
Al Tooqi has just graduated as an Urban Planning and Architectural Design Engineer from the Germany University of Technology (GUtech) in Oman and has ever since been fully focused on his practice schedules for the Rio Olympics.
