Khadija Mohammed’s place at the Olympics is arguably UAE’s most unlikely achievement this summer.
She isn’t just the first Emirati weightlifter to qualify to the Olympics, she is the first one from the entire Gulf region and is the first UAE woman to earn a spot at the Games through qualification rather than through a wildcard.
The country’s six weightlifters, who together competed in Pyeongtaek, Korea last May to win the one qualification spot that Khadija is now proudly occupying, have done so with negligible support.
UAE Weightlifting Federation president Sultan bin Mejren takes immense prides from the fact that, having started from “zero’ in less than three years they are now going to the Olympics.
He says: “We have very limited facilities and funds but our spirit and the unity of the federation and team got us this great achievement.”
At 17, Khadija is the youngest Emirati heading to London.
“I am aware I’m doing something no one else has done in this country has done – going to the Olympic Games in a sport like weightlifting, which is a tough sport that really relies on strength and power,” said Khadija, who will compete in the 75kg class.
“I hope those who watch me compete can think to themselves ‘we want to do that too’ and then they start participating in this sport like me.”
PROFILE
Name: Khadija Mohammed
Date of Birth: 19/06/1995
Place of Birth: Dubai
Career High: 7th place at 2012 Asian Championship
Olympic Hero: Najwan Al Zawawi – her coach
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