Muscat – Omani swimmer Khalid Mohammed Al Kulaibi has struck gold in the 100m freestyle at the 2nd Asian Masters Swimming Championships, being held in Bengaluru, India, from October 4 to 10, 2026.

Al Kulaibi finished first in his age category in a highly competitive field, giving Oman a strong start at a championship that has attracted around 1,300 athletes from across Asia.

Speaking exclusively to Muscat Daily from Bengaluru, Al Kulaibi said he was proud of the achievement and underlined the intensity of the competition.

“The competition was not easy, especially in the 100m freestyle, where around 80 swimmers from different countries, including India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, took part,” he said.

The gold medal marks an important step in Al Kulaibi’s return to competitive swimming and forms part of a longer-term programme aimed at reaching the 2027 World Masters Championships in Budapest.

A former national team swimmer, Al Kulaibi is using the Asian championship to gain valuable international experience and test himself against leading Masters swimmers as he works towards his bigger target next year.

Mohammed Al Habsi, a board member of Oman Aquatics Federation, expressed confidence in Al Kulaibi’s ability to compete for a medal at the 2027 World Masters Championships – and even challenge for the top position.

“I have great confidence in Khalid’s abilities, and I believe he is capable of competing and winning a medal at the World Masters Championships in Budapest in 2027.”

Al Habsi said his confidence was based on his knowledge of Al Kulaibi’s abilities, having trained and worked with him for several years.

“I know very well the physical and technical abilities he possesses, as well as his extensive experience, determination and competitive spirit,” he said.

He described Al Kulaibi’s participation in Bengaluru as an important stage in his preparations for the World Masters Championships.

“Finishing first in his opening race gives us a positive indication that Khalid is on the right path towards the bigger goal in 2027,” Al Habsi said.

Five more races

The 100m freestyle gold is only the beginning of Al Kulaibi’s campaign in Bengaluru.

He is competing in five more events at the championships – the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 200m individual medley and 100m butterfly.

With five races still to come, Al Kulaibi will have further opportunities to test himself against international competition and build momentum ahead of his 2027 target.

But his focus extends beyond medals in Bengaluru. His return to competition is driven by the ambition of reaching the world stage once again.

“I was a national team swimmer and today I am back competing with a new goal – to reach the 2027 World Masters Championships,” he said.

‘Sport has no age limit’

Al Kulaibi also used his participation in the Asian Masters championship to send a message to young people, stressing that sporting ambition should never be limited by age.

“I advise young people to remember that sport has no age limit. Staying involved in sport can make a big difference in our lives. My participation in the Asian Masters category is a message that ambition never stops and that a person can set new goals at any stage of life,” he said.

He urged young athletes to stay active, look after their health, set goals and continue striving regardless of age or circumstances.

For Al Kulaibi, sport is not simply about championships or medals. It is a way of life – and his gold in Bengaluru has given him an encouraging first step towards an even bigger challenge in Budapest in 2027.