As triathlon fever takes over the UAE, with Dubai Challenge taking place last weekend, and the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon to be staged this Saturday, the Alameda O.N Triathlon team announced a new addition to their impressive roster.

Mohamed Lahna, the only para-triathlete in the Arab world, has joined Alameda O.N, which is a newly-formed world-class triathlon team focused on raising awareness and developing talent in the Middle East and North Africa.

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Launched last January, the team features multiple-time world champion Leanda Cave, Jordan’s two-time Arab champion Lawrence Fanous, UAE-based Egyptian pro Omar Nour, Irish multiple-time Ironman winner Eimear Mullan, and now Lahna, a Moroccan Paralympics hopeful.

The 32-year-old Lahna was born without a right femur but that has never stopped him pursuing a career in sport.

He started off as a swimmer, and took up cycling when a friend was able to make a suitable leg for him to use on a bike. He was still unable to run though. But four years ago, Lahna was fitted with a different prosthetic leg that allowed him to pursue running.

Lahna has swum across the Strait of Gibraltar, has competed at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, and has completed one of the toughest running adventures on the planet – the epic Marathon des Sables, to become only the second disabled person ever to complete the gruelling 250km across the Sahara over six days.

He also shares the Alameda O.N team’s vision of mentoring young athletes to try and achieve their dreams of becoming world and Olympic champions, encouraging more people across the Arab region to take on the sport of triathlon as well as a healthy and active lifestyle.

The Alameda O.N pros have been in the UAE for the past week, organising clinics across the country. They took part in Challenge Dubai last weekend and will line up for the Abu Dhabi Triathlon on Saturday.