2025 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship - Overall
by Oman Sail 2 Nov 2025 09:09 AEDT
26 October - 1 November 2025
Thailand crowned champion as Singapore dominates podium
The 2025 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship concluded yesterday (Friday) following a week of exciting and closely contested racing. Hosted and organised by Oman Sail in collaboration with the Oman Maritime Sports Committee and the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA), the championship took place from 25-31 October at Oman Sail's Mussanah Sailing School at Barceló Mussanah Resort, with more than 180 sailors from 25 countries across Asia and Oceania competing for continental honours.
The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information, in the presence of several ambassadors, dignitaries, representatives from the IODA, partners, and participating teams. The ceremony celebrated the crowning of champions across multiple categories, marking the successful conclusion of a spectacular week of racing under ideal conditions along Mussanah's shores. The event reaffirmed the Sultanate of Oman's reputation as a leading host of international sailing championships, following the successful edition held in 2019.
The 2025 edition featured thrilling races and a high level of performance as sailors demonstrated remarkable skill and determination. Thailand and Singapore emerged as the standout nations of the championship, sharing top honours after a week of intense competition in perfect sailing conditions.
In the Team Racing Championship, Singapore Team 1 showcased exceptional teamwork and tactical excellence to win the 2025 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Team Racing title, ahead of Thailand, who finished second, while Singapore Team 2 secured third place. On a continental level, Singapore Team A was recognised as the Top Asian Team, while Team New Zealand earned the title of Top Oceanian Team.
In the Nations Cup, Team USA claimed a convincing victory, followed by Argentina 2 in second place and Argentina 1 in third, after a series of competitive fleet races that highlighted the depth of young sailing talent from around the world.
In the highly anticipated Individual Gold Fleet, Sorawit Naksuk from Thailand delivered a dominant performance throughout the week to secure the 2025 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship title and the IODA Perpetual Trophy, after holding off strong challenges in the final races. Ethan Chia from Singapore finished second, while Storm Husky Kim from the United States of America claimed third place, rounding off an elite podium of top-performing sailors.
In the Girls' Division, Anya Zahedi from Singapore continued her outstanding form to be crowned the Best Girl Sailor in Asia and Oceania 2025, following consistent and skilful racing across all days of competition. She was awarded the IODA Perpetual Trophy, ahead of Li Yuxuan from China, who finished second, and Shreya Lakshminarayanan from India, who placed third, reflecting the continued dominance of Asian female sailors in the Optimist class.
Across the continents, Thailand's Sorawit Naksuk topped the Asian Division, followed by Singapore's Ethan Chia and Anya Zahedi, who took second and third respectively. In the Oceanian Division, William Harris from Australia claimed first place, followed by compatriot Balthazar Roche in second and Jeffrey Du from New Zealand in third.
The Bronze Fleet showcased emerging talent, with Soki Higuchi from Japan taking first place, followed by Kaito Nakamura from Japan in second, and Tarteel Al Hasani from Oman in third after an exceptional performance that highlighted the progress of Omani female sailors. In the Silver Fleet, Kornelia Pajak from the United Arab Emirates took first place, followed by Simon Katz from Argentina in second, and Roberta de Oliveira Horn from Brazil in third.
Meanwhile, Team Oman delivered a commendable performance in the Gold Fleet, with Mohammed Al Qasmi finishing 42nd overall, Khalid Al Sarihi 43rd, and Khamis Al Mashaikhi 48th among a field of more than 180 sailors representing the best of both continents - a result that reflects the ongoing progress and growing capabilities of Oman's young sailing talent.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Khamis bin Salem Al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, said: "We celebrate the conclusion of an exceptional week of sailing that brought together more than 180 sailors from 25 countries in a true display of sportsmanship, friendship, and cultural exchange. With the support of our partners, we have successfully delivered another world-class event that underscores Oman's position as a global destination for sailing."
He added: "We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the International Optimist Dinghy Association, the Oman Maritime Sports Committee, and all our partners and sponsors - particularly QNB Oman, the Gold Sponsor - for their invaluable support and contribution to the success of this continental event. We also acknowledge the continued support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, led by H.H. Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, the Ministry of Information, the Royal Navy of Oman Medical Services, and the Royal Oman Police - Coast Guard, for their efforts in ensuring the safety and smooth execution of the races."
Dr. Al Jabri also emphasised the vital role of media in promoting Oman as a global sports and tourism destination, praising the extensive local and international coverage the championship received.
"Events like this strengthen Oman's position on the global sporting map and directly contribute to the goals of Oman Vision 2040, by diversifying the economy through sports and tourism," he said.
He concluded: "At Oman Sail, we firmly believe that investing in youth potential is the key to shaping a brighter future for our nation. International events such as the Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship provide invaluable platforms for our young sailors to gain experience, develop skills, and proudly represent Oman on the world stage."
Flag Handover Ceremony
The ceremony concluded with the official handover of the IODA flag to Team Sri Lanka, the host nation of the 2026 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship, in the presence of Mr. Ajay Narang, IODA Vice President for Asia, Oceania, and Africa. In his address, praised the outstanding organization and warm hospitality extended to all delegations, describing the 2025 championship as a "benchmark event" in IODA's history.
Commemorative gifts were also presented by Oman Sail to both the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) and QNB Oman, in recognition of their partnership and continuous support. The evening concluded with a group photo featuring all winners and teams, marking the end of a successful championship that once again highlighted Oman's growing stature as a world-class sailing destination.
The championship was hosted at Oman Sail's Mussanah Sailing School, a Category A High-Performance Centre certified by the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF), in recognition of its compliance with international training standards and track record of hosting major international events.
The 2025 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship is hosted and organised by Oman Sail in collaboration with the Oman Marine Sports Committee and the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA), supported by Gold Partner QNB Oman, along with Mazoon Dairy, Tanuf Water, Barceló Mussanah Resort, and Visit Oman as Bronze Partners.
Find the results of the 2025 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship here.