Husein Alireza
Husein made history as the first Saudi rower to qualify for the Olympics, reaching the quarterfinals at the Tokyo 2020 Games. He was also honored to serve as Saudi Arabia’s flag-bearer during the Opening Ceremony. Husein’s rowing journey began during his postgraduate studies at Cambridge University. After graduating in 2017, he fully committed himself to the sport, despite rowing being virtually nonexistent in Saudi Arabia at the time. He trained independently, achieving notable success by winning regional and continental titles, including a bronze medal at the Asian Rowing Championships. In 2019, Husein took a significant step in promoting the sport by founding the Saudi Rowing Federation, playing a pioneering role in its development within the Kingdom. In 2020, he signed with Nike as an athlete and became a brand ambassador for high-profile organizations such as Cartier, Peace & Sport, and the UNHCR. His influence in sports diplomacy has also grown, leading to his election to the Athlete Committees of both the Olympic Council of Asia and the Saudi Olympic Committee. Husein’s remarkable achievements earned him a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, underscoring his growing impact both in sports and beyond.