World’s tactical teams and special police units competing in the UAE SWAT Challenge 2024 have confirmed that the competition in its fifth edition has reached an unprecedented level of intensity.
Teams from various nations are fiercely vying to outdo each other, with victory or defeat often decided in mere seconds. Dubai Police secured the top spot in the “Assault” competition by a razor-thin margin of just one second ahead of the Kyrgyzstan team.
Dubai Police completed the challenge in a lightning-fast 1 minute and 49 seconds, while the Kyrgyzstan team finished in 1 minute and 50 seconds. In third place was the Russian team AKHMAT, crossing the finish line in 1 minute and 51 seconds, underscoring the intense rivalry among the teams.
The Significance of Every Second:
Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations at Dubai Police, Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, remarked, “This year’s challenge witnesses an intense battle among all the teams. We notice that the time difference between the teams is now measured in fractions of a second, not minutes as it used to be. The past two days have seen fierce competition among the participating teams, with high levels of physical and mental preparedness on display, fuelled by the desire to claim the top spot.”
He praised the teams for their unified teamwork over the past two days and highlighted their physical and mental readiness for the challenges, which have been honed through previous experiences.
Narrow Time Margins:
Erika Acuña, a member of the Chilean women’s team BRT, emphasized that all teams are highly prepared for the UAE SWAT Challenge, and the time differences in the results are incredibly tight between the teams. She noted that the intensity of competition reaches its peak in the final meters of each challenge, ultimately determining each team’s ranking and outcome.
Unpredictable Outcomes:
Victor Mekljak, a member of the Brazilian team COT, observed that this year’s competition has reached an exceptionally high level compared to previous years. With teams displaying remarkable competitiveness and readiness, it is impossible to predict who will clinch the top positions. He highlighted that the third day of the challenge witnessed the fiercest competition, with time differentials being incredibly close among the teams. Despite limited training time due to work commitments, the Brazilian team is thrilled to participate in the challenge.
A Remarkable Success:
Carlos Valdez, Assistant Chief of the New York Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit, noted that the level of competition at the UAE SWAT Challenge reflects the unparalleled success of the fifth edition. He emphasized that earning points requires each team to be in peak physical and mental condition to secure time and points. He also expressed the team’s intention to participate in the next edition of the challenge and extended his gratitude to Dubai Police for bringing together specialized police units from around the world to Dubai.
