By Zaynab Kawtharani
OCA Young Reporter
Sanya, China, April 25, 2026: At 17, Lebanon’s Jawad Youness, from Haret Hreik, competed in the aquathlon event at the Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 as one of the youngest participants in his category.
In aquathlon, where performance in the run-swim-run discipline depends on continuous preparation, a lengthy absence is significant. Youness arrived in Sanya without having trained in the water for nearly six weeks, yet he stood at the start line.
His path to the Asian Beach Games began in swimming. He joined the Lebanese Swimming Federation in 2017 and progressed through national competitions before transitioning into triathlon and later aquathlon.
“The bombing was happening right next to us, especially at night,” Youness said of recent events. “Even when I went to training, which was far from the level required, I had to force myself to forget everything and act as if nothing was happening, just to keep going and give everything I had.”
The disruption extended beyond training. It shaped the conditions in which he prepared, leaving little room for consistency in the lead-up to the Games.
Despite that, his decision did not change.
“I wanted to compete in aquathlon because it was my first international participation,” he said. “I didn’t want to miss it, no matter the circumstances in Lebanon.”
With no access to proper facilities, Youness relied on basic exercises and short runs near the place he had relocated to because of the war. His return to swimming came only after arriving in China, through limited sessions in a hotel pool.
“That kind of training was not enough,” his father, who also serves as his coach, said. “It doesn’t build the level or the confidence required.”
He described the period as one of difficult decisions, as the family balanced ongoing challenges at home, including the loss of a relative.
“I was torn between two difficult choices,” he said. “But life has to go on.”
For Youness, the response was internal.
“My determination was what kept me going,” he said. “Aquathlon is a demanding sport. It requires determination and constant challenge. I challenged myself and kept going.”
In Sanya, Youness competed against more experienced competitors who had trained without interruption ahead of the Games. The difference was evident. Yet his presence at the start line reflected more than preparation alone; it reflected a determination shaped under circumstances far beyond sport.