SANYA, April 27 (Xinhua) — Barefoot and focused, 10-year-old Almheiri Hamad jumped off his dinghy and hauled it ashore.
Just six days earlier, the young sailor from the United Arab Emirates had celebrated his 10th birthday, making him the youngest competitor at the ongoing Asian Beach Games in Sanya.
After rinsing his dinghy with a hose, he carefully dismantled the mast and rolled up the sail. Though small in stature, his movements were already skillful.
“I’m not afraid at sea,” Almheiri said. “I only feel a little nervous near the finish line, but I believe in myself.”
Scenes like this are common at the sailing venue, thanks to the Optimist (OP) and ILCA4 dinghy events, which are open to athletes under 16 and 18 respectively. Despite their tender age, competitors are required to rig their own boats and launch them unaided.
With its small hull and simple structure, the OP dinghy in particular is considered a cradle for future champions. Li Quanhai, president of global governing body World Sailing, noted that more than 80 percent of Olympic sailing medalists began their careers in this class.
Kuwait’s Bohamad Zakareya is one of them. Aged 10 years and two months, he has been training for two years and began competing internationally last year.
“It was a bit difficult to control the boat at first. But now I feel I can handle it.” he said. “I want to become a professional sailor and compete in the Olympics one day.”
China’s youngest athlete at the Games, 14-year-old Ni Yijia, is also racing in the OP dinghy. Having taken up sailing at seven, she finished runner-up in the OP Girls’ A division at China’s national sailing championships last year.
Competing on home waters in Sanya, Ni sees the Games as a milestone. “This is my first time at such a high-level multi-sport event, and it could be an important turning point in my career,” she said.
Li emphasized that although OP and ILCA4 are not Olympic events, their inclusion in the Asian Beach Games gives young sailors across Asia a valuable platform to compete, learn from one another and build friendships.
At the same time, real racing conditions demand rapid growth. “They have to face changing winds and currents on their own,” said Lai Huaxiang, coach of China’s OP team. “It tests not only their skills and tactics, but also their mental strength, resilience and ability to respond under pressure.”
It is this blend of challenge and accessibility that is helping to shape sailing’s next generation.
Thomas Bach, Honorary President for Life of the International Olympic Committee, described the growing presence of young athletes as a positive sign for sailing’s development.
“It’s a very good development for sailing and to attract new generations,” Bach said. “At an early age, they can already perform well, and the sport does not place excessive demands on them, neither physically nor mentally. Instead, it allows for a very natural development in line with their nature.” ■
