The 18-year-old Emirati will take part in the Arab Swimming Championships and FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena later this year Youssef Al-Matrooshi: Ninety percent of the swimmers that were at the Olympics will be at the World Championships, so I know how things go, how fast they are On July 23, Youssef Al-Matrooshi marched into the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo as the UAE’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the summer Olympic Games. At just 18, it was the highlight of the Dubai swimmer’s career. Having tasted competition at the highest level at Tokyo 2020, he is now aiming for success in two high-profile competitions closer to home. Al-Matrooshi took up swimming at the age of nine, and by 13 he was entering regional competitions, regularly winning medals and breaking national records. Ads by optAd360 The experience in the Japanese capital has taken him to the next level, says Al-Matrooshi, who races in the freestyle category at several distances. “The atmosphere was great, especially the opening ceremony as I was the flag bearer for the United Arab Emirates,” he said. “The Village was great, there wasn’t a lot of activities to do because of COVID, but watching the swimming championships happening for eight or nine days was great. And participating in it and representing the UAE was a great experience. At a very young age, the age of 18, I’m sure it will boost my experience in upcoming competitions.” Competing against Olympic and World Championship gold medalists and watching their routines and preparations up close was an eye-opener. “To be honest, I was a bit nervous because I wasn’t used to having that much attention in a swimming competition,” Al-Matrooshi said of his participation in the 100m freestyle. “Unlike the swimming competitions here in the UAE, your whole family is watching, your friends, swimming classmates. So there was bit of pressure but I eventually handled it the right way and did my best.” ad He said he felt the support from back home with hundreds of messages wishing good luck. He finished a commendable third in his heat, though his time was not enough to take him through to the semifinals. The 15th FINA World Swimming Championships (25 meters) will take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in December, and Al-Matrooshi is preparing to be up against his rivals from Tokyo. “Training has been great,” he said. “The Olympics boosted my confidence to go to bigger meets like the World Championships. Ninety percent of the swimmers that were at the Olympics will be at the World Championships, so I know how things go, how fast they are. Inshallah we can do our best in the world championship.” But before that, there is the Arab Swimming Championships in October, and with the UAE Swimming Federation’s backing, Al-Matrooshi is aiming for medals. “The Abu Dhabi Sports Council are helping us to prepare ourselves in the best way possible,” he said. “My aim is to get gold in the Arab Championship and to reach the semi-finals of the World Championship,” Al-Matrooshi added. “At the age of 18 that would be great for me.” Ads by optAd360 And as for carrying the flag at the Olympics and continuing to represent his country, he couldn’t be more proud. “I’m honored, this country has given me a lot in my life,” Al-Matrooshi said. As a human being, as an Emirati person, and also as an athlete. You can’t imagine how much they gave me as an athlete and I’m trying to give back to my country a little by representing it in the best way possible.