Young talent Mohamed Yusuf, at the age of 21, realized his dream by winning his first gold medal at the major prize championship in track and field competitions on the tracks. He became the first in the 100 meters distance in the category "T34" at the international Fazaa championship in athletics, which was recently completed and organized by the Dubai club for people with disabilities.
Yusuf noted that he also managed to win two bronze medals in the 400 and 800 meters races, and he intends to follow the path of gold at the upcoming Mohamed Al-Kaid Paralympic championship.
Yusuf told the newspaper "Emirates Today": "My first gold at major championships - this is a dream that became a reality, especially considering that I competed in the same class where our golden star athlete Mohamed Al-Kaid shone at one time, who became my idol and inspirer on the way to Olympic glory."
He added: "I have been waiting for the realization of this dream since the moment of my entry into athletics competitions among people with disabilities in 2016 at the Fazaa championship, during which I achieved numerous continental and regional achievements, although my last attempt at the major prize competition in Dubai, at the end, gave me the opportunity to taste the flavor of gold."
He continued: "Seven years of intense preparation and training, participating in competitions, ultimately resulted in a victory - especially considering that the time I achieved - 15.65 seconds - for the first time ranked first place, does not represent the best in my career, since I previously managed to achieve 14.95 seconds."
He also noted: "Major prize competitions and their results are an important stage in life for champions, not only for setting records, but their results qualify for the Olympic Games, and are always taken into account in Fazaa championships, which are open season competitions involving the best athletes in the world."
Regarding his future ambitions, Yusuf said: "My goals in the three distances of 100, 400, and 800 meters are the right point in achieving the goal I strive to reach, participating in the upcoming Paralympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 and raising the country’s flag at the most prestigious international competitions."
