Impairment Information |
Origin of Impairment |
Acquired |
Further Personal Information |
Family |
Four sons and two daughters |
Residence |
Dubai, UAE |
Occupation |
Athlete, Government Official |
Languages |
Arabic, English |
Sport Specific Information |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
He began powerlifting in 1994 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. |
Why this sport? |
His uncle encouraged him to start. "I fell in love with this sport. It symbolises challenge and strength. If you don't train for a week you come back and have to start from scratch. This is why I like powerlifting - because you can never stop." |
Club / Team |
Tito Kasem, MAR, from 1994: United Arab Emirates |
Name of coach |
Dubai Club for the Disabled |
Senior International Debut |
Year |
1998 |
Competing for |
United Arab Emirates |
General Interest |
Hobbies |
Football. (albayan.ae, 19 Feb 2018) |
Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning two gold medals and one silver medal at the Paralympic Games between 2004 and 2016. (Athlete, 05 Dec 2017) |
Hero / Idol |
Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. (Athlete, 05 Dec 2017) |
Injuries |
He won a silver medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing despite competing with an injury to his right elbow. Following the Games, the problem developed into a shoulder injury and he required surgery in May 2010. Although he continued to compete, the injury kept on troubling him and he was affected by it at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (storiesfromtheuae.com, 07 Sep 2016; sport360.com, 30 Nov 2011) |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Have the spirit to challenge yourself." (Athlete, 05 Dec 2017) |
Awards and honours |
He was flag bearer for the United Arab Emirates at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. (paralympic.org, 29 Aug 2012) |
Milestones |
He became the first Emirati athlete in any sport to win a Paralympic gold medal by claiming victory in the 82.5kg category at the 2004 Games Athens. (SportsDeskOnline, 21 Feb 2019; london2012.com, 01 Aug 2012) |
Ambitions |
To win a medal at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (storiesfromtheuae.com, 07 Sep 2016) |
Impairment |
He had polio as a young child, which resulted in paralysis in his legs. (Athlete, 05 Dec 2017; bplondon2012.com, 01 Jun 2012) |
Other information |
QATAR TO THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Born in Qatar, at age 10 he and his family moved to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (thenational.ae, 07 Feb 2017) |
