Eloy:Washington Qatar's eight-way formation skydiving team, the Qatar Falcons, achieved a silver finish at the 2026 World Skydiving Championships in Eloy, Arizona, held from October 18 to 24. The team finished second among world-leading teams.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Falcons scored 186 points over 10 rounds, behind the United States, which claimed gold with 196 points, while Germany secured third place with 139 points.
This podium finish underlined Qatar's capability to compete with elite skydiving teams globally. The Falcons exhibited precise technical skills and seamless coordination in executing complex aerial formations, marking a significant achievement in one of the sport's premier international events.
The accomplishment is particularly noteworthy given the intricate nature of the sport, which requires meticulous coordination among eight skydivers in freefall to execute a series of aerial formations within a specified time frame.
Overall, the silver medal emphasized the rising prominence of Qatar's air sports and the national teams' consistent success on the international stage, highlighting their ability to vie for top honors and secure podium finishes at major competitions worldwide.
HE Commander of Special Forces and Chairman of the Qatar Air Sports Committee (QASC) Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Zayed Al Otaibi stated that this achievement attests to the high standing Qatari air sports have achieved globally, demonstrating advances in technical acumen and competitive endurance.
This achievement stems from the unwavering support Qatari air sports have received from the country's leadership, alongside efforts to advance these sports, HE Al Otaibi noted. He emphasized that this backing aims to enhance the presence of air sports in international arenas, achieve further successes, and bring international recognition to Qatar.
Maj. Gen. Al Otaibi expressed pride in the champions, who exhibited high skill, competitive spirit, and determination to raise Qatar's flag on the podium, marking the start of a new phase of ongoing achievement and pursuing further success in future international contests.
Secretary-General of QASC Captain Hazza Hamad Al Attiyah expressed satisfaction with the achievement, underscoring that securing a silver medal in such a high-level competition affirmed the advanced stage Qatari air sports have reached. He highlighted the squad's ability to challenge international teams and contend for titles at major global events.
The Qatari champions delivered an outstanding performance and maintained focus throughout the tournament, Al Attiyah said. He explained that every player must embody these traits in a sport that demands high coordination, speed, and precision in executing skydiving formations.
Al Attiyah emphasized that the team's performance was a result of sustained preparation and collaborative efforts by the players and coaching staff. He commended the team's collective spirit and determination throughout the tournament, as well as their ability to stand firm against the world's strongest teams, underscored by their high score among all competing sides.
Al Attiyah highlighted QASC's commitment to continued progress, aiming to translate the strides made into further achievements, continue competing for gold medals, and elevate Qatar's status at the world's top international tournaments.
Captain of Qatar's eight-way formation skydiving team Abdullah Al Hammadi noted the special value of the achievement for the entire team after extensive training to compete with the strongest teams globally.
Al Hammadi acknowledged the challenges faced in the contest, particularly against teams with long-standing expertise. However, there was significant trust among team members in their ability to perform at a level befitting Qatar's reputation.