Bahraini para-triathlete Shaikha Al Shaiba hopes to inspire others on her ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi debut

Sport360 staff 15:33 23/01/2018
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  • Nothing's impossible: Says Shaikha.

    Bahraini para-triathlete, Shaikha Al Shaiba, has her sights set on the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi, which takes place on March 2 and 3 on Yas Island featuring an event for para-triathletes for the first time.

    Al Shaiba appreciates how events in the region are trying to become more inclusive and is keen to leave her mark on the Abu Dhabi showpiece.

    “We are fortunate that we can now participate in marathons, obstacles races, triathlons and more,” she said. “This has opened the doors for many people like me across many sports.”

    Seasoned para-triathletes, such as Al Shaiba, as well as first-timers will have the chance to rub shoulders and compete alongside inspirational heroes of Paralympic triathlon including world and European Champion and Rio 2016 Paralympic gold medallist, Andy Lewis, and Morocco’s Mohamed Lahna, the 2016 bronze medallist.

    The dedicated para waves will take place on Saturday March 2, on the same course as fellow age groupers at the iconic Yas Island, the host venue for ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2018.

    “I fell in love with multi-discipline sport last year when I did my first Ironman 70.3 in Bahrain. I was thrilled to complete the swim, bike, run course and decided to check the Abu Dhabi event off my bucket list this year,” said Al Shaiba, who lost her arm to bone cancer.

    “I was 18 months-old and had to amputate my arm at that point,” said the 34-year-old.

    “I went on to attend school and wear a prosthetic arm which I didn’t really like and it was more for appearance purposes. I then decided to stop wearing the arm and didn’t care what anyone thought anymore.

    “This was a pivotal moment in my life because not only did it give me a boost of confidence, but it also led me to believe that nothing is impossible.”

    In April 2016 Al Shaiba’s friend encouraged her to join their team in participating in the Spartan Race Bahrain. Contestants had to run, climb and crawl through nets over an intense 15km-plus course with more than 25 obstacles.

    “When I was considering competing in the Spartan Race a friend told me that these races do not cater for people like me. That was the exact moment where I decided that I was going to go ahead and participate with the team and try it out. Remember nothing is impossible,” said Al Shaiba.

    “Crossing that finish line was the best feeling in the world. I’ve now become an ambassador for Spartan Race in Bahrain which is fantastic.”

    Filled with confidence and determination she went on to sign up for the Ironman 70.3 in Bahrain in November last year.

    “I thoroughly enjoyed competing in the Ironman and decided to sign up to the Ironman 70.3 Dubai in February followed by the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi in March,” she explained.

    Shaikha at Ironman 70.3 Bahrain last year.

    Shaikha at Ironman 70.3 Bahrain last year.

    She currently trains independently for close to 10 hours every week. The inspirational Bahraini athlete is on a mission to motivate others to follow in her steps and take the plunge into the world of multi-discipline sports.

    “You will be surprised at what you are capable of doing on that race course. Once you’ve experienced your first triathlon you won’t be able to stop at just one,” she says.

    Abu Dhabi has become the leading regional hub for triathlon, with close to 4,000 triathletes, including 120 of the world’s best elites and 500 juniors expected to take to take part in the 2018 event.

    Para-athletes Categories at the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2018

    PTWC/PTHC: This category includes athletes who predominantly use a wheelchair for their daily ambulation. This includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to: muscle power, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia, and athetosis. Severe cerebral palsy athletes will use a recumbent hand-cycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment. It is divided into two subclasses, H1 which is the most impaired and H2 being the least impaired.

    PST2: This category includes athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athetosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement. Common health conditions could include a complete brachial plexus, above elbow amputee, double below knee amputee or severe cerebral palsy. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

    PST3: Common health conditions could include partial brachial plexus, moderate multiple limb impairments or moderate cerebral palsy. In both bike and run segments, the athlete may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

    PST4: Common health conditions could include a below knee amputee, below elbow amputee and mild cerebral palsy. In both bike and run segments, the athlete may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

    PST5: Common health conditions could include a below knee amputee, below elbow amputee and mild cerebral palsy. In both bike and run segments, the athlete may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices

    PTVI: This category includes athletes with total or Partial Visual Impairment (IBSA/IPC defined subclasses B1, B2, and B3): To be eligible, athletes must meet the criteria outlined below. One guide is mandatory throughout the race and each competitor must ride a tandem during the bike segment.

    a) B1: Visual acuity poorer than LogMAR 2.60

    b) B2: Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.50 to 2.60 (inclusive) and/or visual field constricted to a diameter of less than 10 degrees

    c) B3: Visual acuity ranging from LogMAR 1.40 to 1 (inclusive) and/or visual field constricted to a diameter of less than 40 degrees.

    Online registrations for the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2018 are now open to the public via the race website, AbuDhabi.Triathlon.org/Enter. Prices starting from just Dh405 for adults and Dh60 for children.

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