Kuwait women's team celebrates on the podium.

DUBAI, Jan 26 (KUNA): Kuwait dominated the 30th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Swimming Championship in Abu Dhabi 2026, finishing at the top of the overall standings. Kuwait secured a total of 88 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver, and 23 bronze, showcasing their commanding performance across both men’s and junior events.

The women’s team also made a significant impact, contributing 23 medals and demonstrating strong technical skills and competitive resilience. In the men’s division, Kuwait outpaced Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, with Oman finishing sixth. For the women’s events, the host UAE led the standings, followed by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait in fourth place.

Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), head of the Kuwaiti delegation Musa Boushehri described the achievement as a testament to the dedication and hard work of both male and female athletes. He congratulated the swimmers for elevating Kuwait’s regional standing and delivering performances reflective of the nation’s growing prowess in the sport.

Boushehri highlighted the historic debut of Kuwait’s women’s team at the championship, noting it as a milestone for the nation and a reflection of the sport’s expanding foundation. He emphasized that the success was the result of seamless teamwork, careful planning, and unwavering commitment throughout the competition.

He also expressed gratitude to the Public Authority for Sport for its support, which played a crucial role in facilitating these results. The delegation dedicated their victory to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and the Kuwaiti people for their continued encouragement of Kuwaiti athletics.

Kuwait’s contingent at the championship included 40 athletes, featuring nine female swimmers, marking the nation’s historic first participation in the women’s swimming category at this event.