Paris 2024: Egypt legend Sherif Osman on LA 2028 and big ambitions

Para powerlifter Sherif Osman has an ambitious goal of winning six gold medals and make sporting history for Egypt. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, he cried after he had to settle for silver. 

He leaves Paris without a medal for the first time since his Paralympic debut at Beijing 2008, but also with a different mindset.  

“That time (in Tokyo) I felt that I had more power and higher numbers in me, but I couldn’t do it because two months before the Games I had got injured,” Osman said.  

“Today, I’m suffering a lot from injuries, but I did my best, so why do I have to be sad? I say congrats to the gold, silver and bronze medallists.” 

“I will be back. Los Angeles (2028) is waiting for me.” 

Five-time Paralympian  

Competing at his fifth Paralympic Games, Osman successfully lifted 198 kg to finish seventh in the men’s up to 65kg category at La Chapelle Arena. The event was won by China’s Zou Yi, who lifted 215kg. Silver went to Great Britain’s Mark Swan, with Algeria’s Hocine Bettir taking bronze. 

Osman explained how his preparation for Paris 2024 was impacted by injuries.  

“The problem that most killed the way to a medal was an injury. Three years ago, I was suffering from a lot of injury,” he said. “Now I’m starting to increase my numbers (of kilograms lifted), but time is the biggest problem that all people face. 

“I’m just without injuries since two or three months ago, so the time has almost been killing me. It is my fifth Paralympic Games, and I haven’t got a medal. But sport is to compete, not just to win.” 

‘Fish without water’ 

When asked what Para powerlifting means to him, the 41-year-old Osman says it is life itself.  

“It is something I cannot live without, it is a lifestyle. It’s like a fish when you get out from the water – I am like a fish. And the sport, Para powerlifting, is like water. So, what happens if you get the fish out of the water?” 

The Egyptian legend is confident he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. 

“I will stay competing as long as I can. But after I retire, I don’t know, maybe after Los Angeles (2028) or maybe Australia (Brisbane 2032), I think I will try to be a coach,” he said, adding that he also envisions himself working at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to give something back to the Paralympic Movement. 

Advice and ambitions  

Then what would his first piece of advice be as coach? 

“Don’t leave the sport. For all (people) with disabilities, don’t leave the sport. It will save your health, it will save your aims with the sport, you can do a lot,” he said. 

“You can do what you can’t with sport.” 

But he admits that there was one time he thought about leaving the sport. And that involved meeting IPC President Andrew Parsons, he said.  

“I think one time I was in Germany, and I talked to Andrew Parsons. I told him, ‘Hi, nice to meet you. One time, I will enter this building as the IPC President’,” Osman said. “And then he (Parsons) said ‘Wow, good. This is your target.’” 

“Yes, I have a big dream to lead the whole Paralympic sport, one time in my life. I think I will do it.”