UAE athletes boast impressive sporting prowess, and its no surprise given the country’s unrivalled love of competitive action.
Be it in the saddle, on the track, in the pool or anywhere between, sportswoman in this part of the world are made of tougher stuff.
Here are just 7 of the awesome women athletes who have made – and continue to make – the country proud and who should be on your radar this International Women’s Day.
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Alia Saeed Mohammed (runner)
There are few competitions long-distance runner Alia Saeed Mohammed hasn’t graced. From the Arab Championships and Asian Games to the World Championships, the track star – who races in the 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m disciplines – reached the summit of the sporting scene by competing at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016.
Amna Al Haddad (weightlifting)
Amna Al Haddad was denied a place at the Rio Olympics through injury but played a key role in the UAE’s qualification for the Games. She is a pioneer in her field, and was the first GCC and Arab woman to compete wearing the hijab. She has gone on record to say she hopes her achievements will serve as inspiration for other Emirati women.
Asma Al Janahi (fencing / triathlon)
Asma Al Janahi shatters stereotypes across multiple arenas. Not only is she a triathlon ace, competing on land, sea and in the saddle, but she is also a deft-hand in the art of fencing. Last year she became the first UAE national to complete the Olympic race at the Dubai Women’s Triathlon series.
Hamda Al Hosani (runner, Special Olympics)
Hamda Al Hosani has amassed close to 20 Special Olympics medals and is undoubtedly an inspiration for athletes at all levels of their game. Hamda, who competes alongside sister Maryam, says she is driven by a desire to change attitudes towards people with intellectual difficulties.
Nada Al Bedwawi (swimming)
Nada Al Bedwawi made quite the splash when she became the first female swimmer to represent the UAE in Olympic competition. The ripple effect of that performance in the 50m freestyle at Rio – as well as her appearance as the country’s flag bearer in the Parade of Nations – have helped inspire plenty more women to take to the water and dream about swimming under those famous rings.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifah bint Ahmed Al Maktoum (showjumping)
There is no greater sporting stage than that of the Olympic Games, so it’s fitting that Sheika Latifah holds the mantle of first woman to represent the UAE at the globe’s most prestigious competition. Prior to its rescheduling, Sheikha Latifa was in training for the Tokyo 2020 Games, having made her Olympic bow in Beijing in 2008.
Zahra Lari (figure skating)
Five-time national figure skating champion Zahra Lari is blazing a trail in more ways than one. Not only is she the UAE’s first figure skater to compete internationally, she is also the first to do so wearing the hijab, having successfully lodged an appeal to the International Skating Union to repeal a rule that banned headscarves from competitions.
