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Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, November 2006, pages 69-70 Waging Peace Palestine to Be Represented in World Weightlifting Championships
AHMED ABUKHATER feels lucky and honored to be the first athlete to represent Palestine in the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters (WABDL) World Championships. Growing up in war-torn Rafah, a small city in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, meant Ahmed could not compete or reach his full potential. This never disheartened him, however. Through his own determination, and with encouragement from his father, he stayed motivated and pursued his dream of representing his country in the World Championship. Abukhater first tasted the true spirit of athletic competition in 2003, when he was granted an academic scholarship to the U.S. He won first place in the Open Men’s division in powerlifting at the Central Illinois Open Bench Press/Deadlift Championship. The following year, he competed in the Heart of America Bench Press/Deadlift Championships, a regional qualifying meet for the WABDL World Championships. For Abukhater, leaving his family and friends in the Gaza Strip and staying in shape were not his only challenges on the way to the World Championship. He was in acute pain from a severe shoulder separation when he won first place in the Open Division Championship, also setting a new Bench Press Record for the State of Illinois and a Palestinian national record. “In spite of the pain he was in, Ahmed displayed tremendous courage and toughness in lifting, winning, and setting his record,” said John Hudson, president of the Illinois Powerlifting Organization. “For that, he earned our utmost respect.” Abukhater is now preparing for the World Championships to be held in Las Vegas Nov. 15 to 20. “This competition is not about winning or losing,” he explained. “It is about accomplishing a dream that has been lost so long to a vicious cycle of violence. I have longed to see the Palestinian flag displayed honorably with all the other nations’ flags in fair athletic competition. I feel overjoyed and look forward to it.” For more information about Abukhater visit the Web site: <http://www.wabdl.org/europe-asia-pacific_region.htm#Palestine%20Records>. —Hilary Nieman |
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