At nine, Max broke a UAE butterfly record, won Dubai Open and DIAC 2026 and inspired young swimmers worldwide.
Thank you for supporting Max in this competition. Your participation made a huge impact for the Why Not You Foundation and their mission to empower change in the world, one individual at a time and one child at a time.
What is Youth Athlete of the Year?
Learn MoreMax loves the feeling of getting better. He is naturally competitive, but what excites him most is seeing how consistent training translates into faster times in the pool. He enjoys racing, being part of a team and the challenge of pushing himself beyond what he thought he could do. Swimming has taught him that progress comes from patience, effort and showing up every day.
Max is inspired by Léon Marchand. He admires not only his extraordinary achievements in the pool, but the way he races across different strokes and distances. Max particularly likes his competitiveness, versatility and calmness under pressure. Marchand shows him how far talent can go when combined with discipline, hard work and the constant desire to improve.
What makes us proudest is not a particular medal or result, but the commitment Max has developed at such a young age. He has learnt to train consistently, accept difficult sessions and setbacks and come back determined to improve. Seeing him understand that his results are something he can influence through his own effort has been more rewarding than any individual race.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Youth Athlete of the Year, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
