Mohammed Khamis Khalaf

Started: He took up powerlifting as a hobby in 1990. (Athlete, 11 Jul 2019, 05 Dec 2017) Reason: His uncle encouraged him to try the sport. "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. I love challenges, and this is one sport which challenges me, my strength and power." (Athlete, 11 Jul 2019, 05 Dec 2017; sport360.com, 02 Dec 2014; thenational.ae, 28 May 2010) 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 in Athens. At the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, he won gold in the 88kg division to become the first Emirati athlete to win more than one career Paralympic gold medal. (SportsDeskOnline, 21 Feb 2024; london2012.com, 01 Aug 2012) Awards: In 2018 he was named Best Male Athlete for People of Determination in Individual Sport by the Dubai Club for People of Determination in the United Arab Emirates. (Dubai Club for People of Determination Facebook page, 21 Nov 2018) 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) Additional Info: 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)