Mohammedia/1st Fdala Atlantic Triathlon: Moroccans Zakaria Hssiki and Chaimaa Oujaa crowned champions in sprint triathlon

Mohammedia – Moroccans Zakaria Hssiki, in the men’s category, and Chaimaa Oujaa, in the women’s, won the sprint triathlon on Sunday in Mohammedia at the inaugural Fdala Atlantic Triathlon.

Zakaria Hssiki finished first in this event, which combines swimming, cycling, and running, with a time of 59 minutes and 45 seconds. He finished ahead of his compatriots Ali El Beqqali (59 minutes and 48 seconds) and Mohammed Ejjahed (1 hour, 0 minutes, and 7 seconds).

As for the women, Chaimaa Oujaa took first place with a time of 1 hour, 16 minutes, and 22 seconds. Belgian Clémence Geurts finished second with a time of 1 hour, 19 minutes, and 15 seconds, while Moroccan Sofia El Beqqali completed the podium, finishing the sprint triathlon in 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 55 seconds.

In the Olympic aquathlon, which combines swimming and running in a single event, Zakaria Hssiki once again distinguished himself by taking the men’s title with a time of 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 26 seconds. His compatriots Mohamed Aidi (1 hour, 4 minutes, and 28 seconds) and Mohammed Kabrour (1 hour, 5 minutes, and 44 seconds) finished second and third, respectively.

In the women’s race, the victory went to Frenchwoman Laure Bibens, who achieved a time of 1 hour, 16 minutes, and 58 seconds. She finished ahead of Great Britain’s Jane Raif (1 hour, 28 minutes, 28 seconds) and Morocco’s Yassmine M. Gassy (1 hour, 33 minutes, 46 seconds).

In a statement to MAP, the director of the Fdala Atlantic Triathlon, Othmane Benhalima, expressed his satisfaction with the success of this inaugural event, which took place under excellent conditions, both in swimming and cycling and running.

“We were delighted to welcome more than 500 participants from all over the world. We are particularly proud and happy to offer this beautiful city a major sporting competition, especially one dedicated to triathlon,” he emphasized.

For this first edition, he added, two race formats were offered to cater to different skill levels. This includes the “sprint” format, accessible individually and in relays, which comprises a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike ride, and a 5-kilometer run, as well as the “Olympic aquathlon” format, which includes a 1.5-kilometer swim and a 10-kilometer run.

Mr. Benhalima was also delighted that the event brought together professionals, elite triathletes, amateurs, and families in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

For his part, Zakaria Hssiki said he was “very happy” to have met a double challenge by winning both the sprint triathlon and the Olympic aquathlon, with only 30 minutes between the two events.

To achieve this feat, the Moroccan triathlete indicated that he carefully managed his effort throughout the competition, noting, moreover, that the course was well-organized and safe. “All the conditions were in place for us to give our best,” he affirmed.

The same sentiment was echoed by Moroccan triathlete Chaimaa Oujaama, crowned champion in the sprint triathlon, who praised the excellent organization and the pleasant seaside course, expressing her satisfaction with her successful participation in this sporting event, despite some difficulties on the cycling leg which, however, did not prevent her from securing the victory.

Organized on October 10 and 11 by Smart Sport Consulting, under the auspices of the Royal Moroccan Triathlon Federation (FRMT) and with the coordination of the local authorities of Mohammedia, the first edition of the Fdala Atlantic Triathlon aims to promote the city of Mohammedia beyond its borders and to write a new chapter in its history, one that is closely linked to the ocean.

Through this new event, the organizers aspire to contribute to positioning Mohammedia as a sporting destination, highlighting its maritime heritage and its connection to the Atlantic.