Rashid Al Mulla eyes seventh freestyle world title as Shanghai hosts aquabike return

By James Mercer • 22 September 2026, 08:14 • 3 mins read

Rashid Al Mulla is pushing hard in training ahead of the World Aquabike Championship's Shanghai opener from 1-3 October. He wants to bring the freestyle crown back to Team Abu Dhabi and claim a record seventh world title as the series returns to China after five years away.

Rashid Al Mulla is not holding back this season. The six-time world champion from Team Abu Dhabi is sharpening his routines for the World Aquabike Championship's big return to Shanghai. He wants his seventh freestyle title as the global series comes back to China for the first time since 2019.

The Shanghai round, set for 1 to 3 October, is more than just another race. It has been ten years since the city last hosted the Grand Prix. This event marks China's comeback to the world aquabike circuit after five years out. For Al Mulla, this is both personal and historic. He dominated with world titles in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024. In 2025, he missed out on a seventh straight crown, finishing second to Italy's Roberto Mariani. Now, he is focused on taking back the top spot.

The Grand Prix of Shanghai is officially scheduled for 2-3 October 2026 in the Baoshan district, as confirmed by the Shanghai Municipal Government and the event's official calendar.

Shanghai Municipal Government

The schedule is tight. Registration and technical checks start on 1 October. Free practice, qualifying, and grid draws follow on 2 October. Moto 1 also runs that day. Moto 2 and Moto 3 wrap up the action on 3 October, ending with the podium ceremony in the evening. Al Mulla knows China well. He won both Moto 1 and Moto 2 at the 2019 Qingdao Grand Prix, a season where he took his second world title.

The world's top freestyle riders are heading to Shanghai. For Al Mulla, this is about more than personal redemption. His performance will set the tone for Team Abu Dhabi and show the strength of the UAE's marine sports scene. China's return also brings back memories of past UAE sporting ambitions, as reported earlier in coverage of major international competitions.

Al Mulla is training hard. He is using his championship experience and his knowledge of high-pressure events to get ready for a strong start in Shanghai. The first round is not just about points. It is about building momentum, gaining a mental edge, and showing he can still lead in a field that gets tougher every year.

According to ANTARA News, the rivalry between Rashid Al Mulla and Roberto Mariani has become a defining feature of the freestyle discipline. In 2025, both riders finished with 47 points, but Mariani claimed the title on countback, fueling Al Mulla's drive for a comeback in 2026. Their close competition was also documented in the 2023 season, highlighting the sustained intensity at the top of the sport.

ANTARA News

With the World Aquabike Championship back in China, all eyes are on Rashid Al Mulla. Can he turn his skill and drive into a record seventh world title? For him, it is more than a personal goal. It is a statement for Team Abu Dhabi and for the UAE's place in world marine sport. The Shanghai opener will show if experience and ambition can put an Emirati athlete back on top of the freestyle world.

UAE CUE Sports Desk

James Mercer

James Mercer is the Founder, Owner, Publisher and Managing Director of UAE CUE Sports, where he oversees editorial direction and the publication's development across the Emirates. He writes about UAE sport, sports media, major events, venues, sports business and the wider relationship between participation, audiences and the country's sporting industry.