Algiers 2018: Fatma Omar not going to settle

“It was such an unexpected result for me and I was very sad after the competition. But I thought about all the things I had won throughout my career and that helped me recover and believe in myself once again.”

Most athletes dream about reaching the Paralympic podium. For Fatma Omar, however, winning silver at Rio 2016 was a disappointment. The Egyptian powerlifter had never won another medal that was not gold. But Nigerian legend Lucy Ejike delivered an outstanding performance and secured a world record lift of 142kg, 2kg more than Omar.

With the African Championships just around the corner, Omar is anxious to show that there is still a lot more she can offer.

“My goal for Algiers 2018 is to be back to the number one place after taking silver at the 2016 Paralympic Games,” she said.

“It was such an unexpected result for me and I was very sad after the competition. But I thought about all the things I had won throughout my career and that helped me recover and believe in myself once again.”

Olaitan Ibrahim will be her toughest opponent in the women’s up to 67kg. The Nigerian took silver at the 2017 World Championships.

However, multiple Paralympic and world champion Omar prefers to focus on herself and her personal goals. “After winning titles I still remain motivated because I believe there are still things to achieve. And I want to continue moving upwards in my career,” she said.

After participating in the continental event in Algeria, Omar expects to compete at the 2019 World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, and the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

At 44 years old, Omar reveals there are still some years ahead of her before thinking about retiring. But when the time inexorably comes, she will “use my experience to give back to the sport all it has given me.”