• Defender Trophy MENA Final concludes in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, bringing together successful qualifiers from across the region for an epic test of skill and teamwork
• Competitors pushed their limits across a series of demanding driving, physical, navigation and ingenuity challenges set against AlUla’s spectacular desert landscape
• Craig Saunders, Julie Millasseau and Khaled Ahmad AlShaker named MENA winners and will represent the region at the Defender Trophy Global Final in Africa
• Regional Final embodied Defender’s unstoppable spirit of adventure, challenging competitors to embrace the impossible while showcasing the capability of Defender
• The Defender Trophy Global Final will bring together qualifiers from around the world for an epic adventure with a greater purpose, hosted in Africa with Defender conservation partner Tusk

ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA – 12 OCTOBER 2026: Defender has crowned its MENA winners following the conclusion of the Defender Trophy Regional Final in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, marking the latest chapter in the brand’s epic global adventure challenge.

Following qualification events across participating markets in the region, successful competitors converged on AlUla. They tested their driving ability. Their physical strength. Their ingenuity and teamwork. The MENA programme pushed contestants to their limits. It challenged them to embrace the impossible, with the top three competitors earning the opportunity to represent the region at the Defender Trophy Global Final.

After two days of competition, Craig Saunders – UAE, Julie Millasseau – UAE, and Khaled Ahmad AlShaker – Jordan emerged as the MENA winners and will progress to the Global Final in Africa, where they will join successful qualifiers from around the world for the next stage of the Defender Trophy adventure.

Embracing the impossible in AlUla

Set among the dramatic landscapes of AlUla, the MENA Final combined adventure, competition and purpose through a programme of individual and team challenges designed to test competitors across a wide range of disciplines.

The event began with conservation and team challenges Sharaan National Park, one of the largest and most advanced conservation projects in the region.. The finalists then faced two intensive days of competition in which they  tackled extreme terrain,

faced technical off-road driving challenges, navigation and wayfinding tasks, as well as challenges testing them physically as well their communication, initiative and problem-solving skills..

The final day took the competitors from Al Gharameel Nature Reserve to  Madakheel Canyon with challenges including canyon driving, hiking, rock crawling and abseiling, before the gruelling expedition concluded with a final celebration of their achievements at Dar Tantora.

Amy Gibson, Brand Director, Defender MENA, said: “The Defender Trophy MENA Final has been an incredible showcase of the spirit and adventure we see across our region. AlUla provided a spectacular setting for our competitors to push their limits and experience Defender at its most capable. We are incredibly proud of Craig, Julie and Khaled and look forward to seeing them represent MENA on the global stage in Africa.”

Patrick McGillycuddy, Managing Director, Defender, said: “The Defender Trophy MENA Final demanded everything from our competitors. They faced extreme terrain. They pushed their physical limits. They embraced the impossible against the spectacular backdrop of AlUla. Every participant showed incredible grit, and Craig Saunders, Julie Millasseau and Khaled Ahmad AlShaker proved they have what it takes to conquer the next stage. We look forward to seeing them represent the MENA region at the Global Final in Africa. The epic adventure continues.”

Epic Adventure, Greater Purpose

Inspired by iconic Trophy and Challenge events of the past, Defender Trophy is a new global adventure challenge with purpose at its core, bringing together a new generation of adventurers who share Defender’s passion for exploration, capability and conservation.

Competitors progressing to the Global Final will face a series of stages combining Driving Challenges, Ingenuity Challenges and Physical Challenges, testing their ability to navigate tough terrain, think fast, work together and perform under pressure.

Hosted in Africa with Defender’s conservation partner Tusk, the Global Final will ultimately give its winners the opportunity to leave a positive and lasting legacy through a unique conservation mission – bringing together epic adventure with a greater purpose.