ATHENS, Oct 9: In a proud artistic milestone for Kuwait, renowned Kuwaiti photographer Mohammed Awad has claimed both first and second place in the World Photography Award held in Greece, sweeping top honors in the architectural and sports photography categories.

Announced during a prestigious ceremony in Athens on Tuesday, Awad's dual win out of a field representing 137 countries and over 70,000 photo submissions across 11 categories marked a significant international recognition of Kuwaiti talent on the global stage.

In a telephone interview with KUNA on Wednesday following the ceremony, Awad expressed his immense pride in the achievement, calling it a moment of joy that elevated Kuwait’s name in an international artistic forum. "This honor belongs first to Kuwait, and then to my family, whose unlimited support has been the foundation of this success," he said.

Awad, who also serves as a board member of the Kuwait Photographic Arts Society, shared details of his winning entries. The photo that earned him first place in the architectural category was a striking image of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan, designed by the late globally celebrated architect Zaha Hadid. His second-place win in sports photography featured an adrenaline-filled shot from a motocross race in Kuwait, capturing the intensity and dynamism of the sport.

“This accomplishment proves that Kuwaiti youth are capable of reaching the highest levels of success in all fields — regionally, Arab-wide, and internationally,” Awad noted, adding that such recognitions help foster a greater appreciation of artistic talent emerging from Kuwait.

The award ceremony in Athens was attended by an international audience of professional and amateur photographers, diplomats, media figures, and intellectuals. Representing the Kuwaiti Embassy in Athens, Second Secretary Shawq Al-Adwani also took part in honoring Awad’s win, further emphasizing the diplomatic and cultural significance of the achievement.

Kuwaiti photographer Mohammed Awad wins first and second place in the world's architectural and sports photography competitions in Greece.