SHARJAH — The world’s best skateboarders have pledged to put on a “spectacular show” at the Street 2022 and Park 2022 World Championships at Aljada Skate Park in Sharjah, which act as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The ‘Road to Paris’ competitions sees Sharjah hosting the Street 2022 World Championships from 29 January to 5 February, followed by the Park 2022 World Championships from 5 February to 12 February.

And with the countdown on to the most breathtaking live sporting action you’ll ever see, the best boarders on the planet have promised incredible tricks, amazing photo and video opportunities – and the coolest platform to be inspired by.

Momiji Nishiya, who won the first ever gold medal in the women's street skateboarding at the 2020 Olympics aged just 13, said: “The popularity of skateboarding has grown so much since it was introduced into the Olympics a few years ago. It’s great going around the world seeing so many people my age enjoying something I love so much.

“The standard of skating right now is incredible – it’s insane. The fans are in for such a treat in Sharjah. I know I will have to bring my A-game, and I would encourage everyone to come watch us all in action at Aljada Skate Park because it will be a spectacular show.”

Rayssa Leal, the 15-year-old Brazilian skateboarder with 6.4 million Instagram followers who won silver in the women's street skateboarding at the 2020 Olympics, said: “I love seeing how passionate people are about skateboarding and the culture around our sport.

“The World Championships in Sharjah will be so good. The talent coming from across the world to compete here is off-the-scale good. I want to go one better at the next Olympics, so will be doing everything I can in Sharjah to put on the best performance going.”

Over 450 skateboarders from all over the globe, including all 12 medal winners from the 2020 Tokyo Games, will compete across both events – which are a first for the UAE and the wider Middle East.

Quarterfinals for the Park event will take place on Friday, February 3, semifinals on Saturday, February 4, and the final on Sunday, February 5. Quarterfinals for the Street event will take place on Friday, February 10, semifinals on Saturday, February 11, and the final on Sunday, February 12. Qualifiers for each event will take place during the week, with full timings to be released in due course.

Tickets for the world-class events are free of charge to members of the public but need to be pre-booked here. https://www.arada.com/en/world-championships/

But it’s not just world-class skateboarding on show. With music, fashion, lifestyle and retail all synonymous with skateboarding, the action away from the bowls and ramps will be just as enticing. Visitors to the World Championships can enjoy local DJs, pop-up outlets, a range of food options and a colourful festival atmosphere.

The skateboarding championships are being co-organized by World Skate and UAE-based master developer Arada and highlight Sharjah’s position as a new regional hub for this rapidly expanding sport.

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada, said: “Aljada Skate Park’s world-class facility looks forward to welcoming the best skateboarding talents around for what will be an incredible fortnight of modern, breathtaking sporting action.

“We look forward also to welcoming the many fans delighted to see their young heroes live, as we showcase one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Added to that will be the offerings on the side of the live action, such as music, fashion, food and more, which epitomize the position skating holds in popular culture.”

Sabatino Aracu, President of World Skate, said: “The standard of skating at the World Championships will be immense and we encourage as many people as possible – be they passionate skaters or ‘newbies’ looking to get involved in our way of life – to be there in Sharjah. I can guarantee they will have an awesome time at Aljada Skate Park.”

Aljada Skate Park, spread over six separate parks that include Olympic-level street and park sections complete with two 3.3m deep ends, is located in the Aljada urban district, Sharjah’s largest ever project, which is being developed by Arada. The skate park has quickly become a major attraction for hundreds of skateboarding enthusiasts from across the UAE, who participate in weekly skating competitions. It is a central feature in Madar, the Aljada community’s entertainment district, which has been designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

The Street 2022 and Park 2022 World Championships at Aljada Skate Park are sponsored by Red Bull, TikTok, Sharjah Tourism, Saudi German Hospitals, UAE Innovates, and Dubai Islamic Insurance and Reinsurance (AMAN).