“Inspiration has no age limit,” said the royal after crossing the finish line with the family.
He urged the residents of Dubai to work on their fitness by exercising for 30 minutes a day for 30 days.
And while HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s epic mission drew to a close over the weekend, the royal ensured the Dubai Fitness Challenge ended with a bang.
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In a bumper few days of events, the city saw triathlons, work-out carnivals, and celebrity guests (such as champion boxer Anthony Joshua) help residents get their game on—and Sheikh Hamdan joined Team Angel Wolf for one super-special challenge.
The Dubai-based non-profit entity, started by Nick and Delphine Watson, aims to encourage the inclusion of people with disabilities, according to its Instagram page.
Together with son Rio and daughter Tia, the family often compete in events to raise awareness for people with determination—and this time Sheikh Hamdan was on hand to offer moral support.
The royal joined the family for the X3Jr triathlon, a children’s-only event organised by XDubai, mingling with Rio (and even giving him his hat) shortly before the race kicked off.
Sheikh Hamdan then supported 11-year-old Tia through the cycling and running stages, following behind the family to record the moment she and older brother Rio crossed the finish line.
“Inspiration has no age limit,” the royal wrote on Instagram alongside a clip from the day.
“Well done Rio & Tia from Team Angel Wolf for showing an outstanding amount of courage in today’s #X3Jr triathlon.”
The royal was also there to support Mohammed bin Ahmed Jaber Al Harbi, the son of Sheikh Hamdan’s long-time friend Ahmed Jaber Al Harbi.
“For us all at the event, it was truly wonderful and an absolute honour to see Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the race, in his support of the delightful, strong and fast, Mohammed and his friends, whom competed in the race,” Team Angel Wolf posted on Facebook.
“Mohammed was amazing! Such a strong runner!
“We are very grateful to His Highness, for his vision and care for his community, in creating such wonderful, forward thinking, fun, engaging, proactive, inclusive community events and initiatives; just like Dubai Fitness Challenge and X3 JR Triathlon!”
The family also revealed that Sheikh Hamdan stayed specially to watch Rio and Tia compete, after little Mohammed’s challenge was over.
“We are so very grateful and very honoured (more than we can adequately express) for the time and energy that he gave us, in supporting and motivating our children; the message he gave was very beautiful and caring,” the post continued.
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“Your Highness, we will be forever grateful and it is a special moment that we will never forget; thank you… and we are so sorry that Rio took your cap!”
HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein also paid tribute to Sheikh Hamdan as his 30 x 30 challenge ended, saying it “has been a joy to watch Dubai make strides towards becoming the most active city in the world”.
“Congratulations, Sheikh Hamdan, for leading a movement we can all be proud of,” the royal wrote.
We couldn’t agree more.
Images: Team Angel Wolf/Facebook, HH Sheikh Hamdan/Instagram
