Heroes from the Emirates/success stories that do not know the impossible (4)

Abu Dhabi, June 14 / WAM / Emirati sports provide inspiring models of heroes and heroines who have succeeded in achieving remarkable achievements at the continental and global levels, thanks to determination and continuous work, in a clear reflection of the success of the system of discovering talent and nurturing athletes in the country, and consolidating the UAE’s position on the international sports arena.

This report comes within a series of weekly reports broadcast by the Emirates News Agency, WAM, to showcase the inspiring stories of heroes that motivate their colleagues to represent the country in the best way and win medals and titles.

In chess, Wafia Darwish Al Mamari, a player at Al Ain Chess and Mental Games Club, is considered one of the most prominent Emirati players, thanks to her career full of achievements that culminated in her winning the World Rapid Chess Team Championship title in Kazakhstan, in addition to winning the His Highness the President’s Cup titles, the UAE Championships, and a number of Gulf, Arab and Asian medals.

Al-Maamari said that her start in the game came through introductory programs organized by the Al Ain Chess Club within schools, as she was chosen with her two brothers as among the talented students, while family support, especially her mother, played a pivotal role in continuing her sports career.

She added that her first victory in the UAE Championship represented an important turning point in her career, as it gave her the confidence to compete abroad, before she recorded a historic presence as the first Emirati player to participate in the Women’s Chess World Cup in 2023.

Al-Maamari touched on the challenges she faced during her career, including reconciling studies and sports, especially during her studies in Britain, pointing out that her passion for the game contributed to overcoming this obstacle and continuing to achieve success.

In athletics, Salma Al Marri, a player for the Abu Dhabi Athletics Club and the UAE national team, made a strong presence after setting a new Emirati record in the hammer throw competition, reaching 49.02 meters during an international championship held in Slovenia, even though she had only been practicing this sport for six months.

Al Marri said that this achievement represents the beginning of a new phase of sporting ambitions, stressing that breaking the record reflects the fruits of daily effort and continuous work.

She explained that the rapid transition from the learning stage to international competition required intensive development of the technical and physical aspects, with the support of the Athletics Federation and the Abu Dhabi Athletics Club, in addition to a specialized training program that contributed to raising her technical level.

Salma has a distinguished record of achievements, amounting to 30 medals so far, including 9 medals with the national team and 21 medals with the club.

In the sports of jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts, Zamzam Al Hammadi continues to consolidate her presence as one of the most prominent emerging Emirati talents, after she became the first Emirati player to represent the country in the sport of mixed martial arts.

Al Hammadi began her sporting journey at the age of three, influenced by her mother, who practiced judo and jiu-jitsu, while her first coach played a prominent role in discovering her talent and encouraging her family to support her.

After years of brilliance in jiu-jitsu, she moved to mixed martial arts in 2023, so she could achieve her first global achievement by achieving first place in the World Championship hosted by Abu Dhabi.

Al Hammadi stressed that the strategy of the UAE Federation for Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts and family support were the basic foundation for its continuation, especially with the successes achieved by her brother Zayed Al Hammadi, noting that representing the Emirates and raising the country’s flag in international forums are the ultimate goal of her sports career.

In sports for people of determination, Mohammed Yousef succeeded in writing a new chapter of Emirati achievements, after he won the country’s first gold medal in the Fazza International Athletics Championship for People of Determination “Grand Prix – Dubai 2026”, after winning the 100-meter race on wheelchairs in the (T34) category.

He explained that his career began in 2016 through the Fazza Championships, which contributed to discovering his talent and refining his abilities, before continuous work over seven years led him to the golden podium, after a series of regional and continental participations and achievements.

He stressed that his victory over Tunisian Paralympic champion Walid Katila gave this achievement special importance, and strengthened his confidence in his ability to compete in the largest international forums, indicating that his next goal is to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles 2028, and to continue achieving achievements that raise the UAE flag high in international sporting forums.

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