Visit Qatar GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup Finals 2023 - Fuwairit (QAT) - Season WrapUp

After five days of the event at Fuwairit Kite Beach, race director Rui Meira closed the competition window. Although this is usually a windy time of the year, the light wind conditions meant that the final event of the season could not be played out to its full. Day one saw action from the women’s heats, although unfortunately, the final heat was not completed. The top four women reached the final to give a valid competition result, with Mikaili Sol (USA), Bruna Kajiya, Nathalie Lambrecht (SWE) and Therese Taabbel (DEN) sharing joint first place. The men’s heats remained on hold and the rankings remained unchanged, but despite an unusual lull in the wind, the athletes had the opportunity to discover more of Qatar.
After a remarkable year, Brazilians Bruna Kajiya and Carlos Mario were crowned the 2023 Qatar Airways GKA Freestyle-Kite World Champions after demonstrating their talent and sheer determination. Emotions were high for both after they battled personal challenges to achieve their dreams and secure their comebacks. Kajiya last held the crown in 2017 and, at thirty-six, she is the tour veteran who won her fourth title as the 2023 Qatar Airways GKA Freestyle-Kite Women's World Champion. Mikaili Sol (USA) finished second overall and Claudia Leon (ESP) was third.
Mario's last crown was in 2018, and he now wins his fifth world title, taking home the trophy as the Qatar Airways GKA Freestyle-Kite Men's World Champion 2023. Gianmaria Coccoluto (ITA) and Maxime Chabloz (SUI) finished second and third, respectively, in the overall standings.