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The young Emirati Olympian is enjoying a year to remember...
Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi's dream year somehow got even better this week when he was named the winner of the Longines FEI Rising Star Award for 2024.
The young UAE Jumping ace received the prize on home soil in Abu Dhabi during the 2024 FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines.
Al Marzooqi was selected as the award winner by equestrian fans and an expert panel in what was the latest highlight of a wonderful period for the 21-year-old.
After winning Individual silver and Team bronze at the Asian Games in 2023, he was the youngest equestrian athlete selected for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. After the honour of being the UAE’s flag carrier during the Opening Ceremony, he was then able to qualify for the Individual Final. With Enjoy De La Mure, he ultimately finished in the top 20 on his Olympic debut.
Al Marzooqi was handed his award in Abu Dhabi by Patrick Aoun, Longines Brand Manager for Middle-East & South East Asia (pictured). He also received an elegant timepiece from the FEI’s Top Partner.
The other shortlisted nominees were Australian Dressage athlete Jessica Dertell, French Paralympian Chiara Zenati, and Germany's Mathies Rüder, who competes in Eventing and Jumping.
“I feel so proud to win the Longines FEI Rising Star award, especially as it is the first time someone from UAE has received it,” said Al Marzooqi.
“I had an exceptional experience in Paris. I participated in the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, which was memorable, but Paris was completely different. I was competing with riders I have looked up to for years.”
