A dream, years in the making is coming true for 20-year-old Waseem Abu Sal. The Palestinian boxer from the occupied West Bank will be the first athlete from his nation to compete in Olympic boxing, securing a coveted wildcard spot for the upcoming Paris Games 2024.
“This has been my dream since I was 10. Every day, I went to sleep and woke up thinking about the Olympics”, Abu Sal shared, expressing the culmination of years of relentless dedication
His journey to the Olympic stage, however, is not without its challenges. Abu Sal trains under the remote guidance of coach Ahmad Harara, who is based in Cairo. Israeli travel restrictions prevent the pair from regularly training together in person, with meetings limited to international competitions where Abu Sal travels.
The political realities of the occupied West Bank further complicate his training. Checkpoints restricting movement make it difficult to find a suitable sparring partner within his weight class, with many residing on the other side of Israel’s security barrier.
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Visa hurdles are another obstacle, as Palestinian athletes often face restrictions when seeking permission to travel abroad for training or competitions.
Despite the challenges, Abu Sal remains steadfast in his pursuit of Olympic glory. As the Games approach, his focus remains laser-sharp: “train, eat, and sleep.” He’ll step into the ring on July 28th, ready to rewrite history as the first Palestinian boxer to compete in the Olympics.
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