From a promising footballer to Guinness World Record holder, Faisal Al Mosawi has defied the odds once again by becoming the world's fastest diver with an underwater wheelchair at Dubai Mall's Aquarium.
Mr Al Mosawi, 38, was born in Kuwait and played football at Al-Salmiya Sporting Club until a car accident in 2005 left him paralysed in the lower half of his body.
Two years after the accident, he discovered a passion for diving and has never looked back.
This record is for every individual who refuses to be defined by limitations
Faisal Al Mosawi
“After a series of operations with a hope to walk again, I was frustrated and isolated myself at home. But I decided to be a new person and pursue a different career path,” Mr Al Mosawi told The National.
Setting out to send a message to all people of determination that everyone can pursue their dreams, he went on diving trips in Egypt, Indonesia, the Maldives and Thailand to pursue his new hobby.
After breaking two world records in 2018 and 2022, Mr Al Mosawi decided to attempt a third in Dubai.
On Monday, Mr Al Mosawi completed the fastest dive using an underwater wheelchair, clocking a time of 37 minutes for 400 metres at Dubai Aquarium.
“I'm thrilled and excited. This achievement is a testament to the limitless capability of the human," he said. "I'm proud of showing my skills. I am immensely proud to demonstrate the capabilities of adaptive sports.
"This record is for every individual who refuses to be defined by limitations. Nothing is impossible.”
In 2018, he became the fastest 10km scuba diver in the world with a time of five hours and 24 minutes, breaking a record that was set by a scuba diver with no disability.
Four years later, he broke another world record by becoming the fastest snorkelling diver after travelling 1km in less than an hour in the Maldives.
Mr Al Mosawi trained for four months for his latest achievement, during which he practised by swimming and diving for 400 metres while carrying a 10kg chair or the same weight of diving equipment.
“I chose Dubai to break the record as it is a friendly city for people of determination," he said. "Dubai Mall is the busiest place and it helped to send my message, as many visitors watched me dive into the massive water tank."
After breaking the record, Mr Al Mosawi thanked his family, his training team and Dubai Sports Council.
“It was a tough challenge but I insisted on succeeding," he said.
"I'm living my life better than before the accident. I am married, have a daughter and overcame the challenges. It is like a dream."
Mr Al Mosawi, who has a bachelor's degree in finance, is also working as a life coach to inspire others.
“I'm a motivational speaker with more than 500 trainees per month," he said. "I hope my accomplishments will demonstrate to the world that people of determination are as capable of success as anyone else."
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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Rating: 4/5
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
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"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
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THE DETAILS
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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