UAE para-athlete Thani Al-Shahi has won the bronze medal in table tennis at the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, securing the first medal for the UAE at the event. The 22-year-old athlete is a role model for para-athletes who excel in both academics and sports. He represented his country in two sports: wheelchair basketball and table tennis. After the wheelchair basketball team was eliminated in the group stage, Al-Shahi managed to compensate by achieving success in table tennis. He noted that in individual sports like table tennis, athletes have a greater chance to fulfill their ambitions on the podium compared to the challenges of team sports. Al-Shahi expressed his happiness with his bronze medal, which earned him a place in the world's top 50. He also shared his future aspirations, hoping to qualify for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
"I look forward to finishing my project to return to focusing on training in preparation for the upcoming competitions, with the ambition of qualifying and representing the country at the next Summer Paralympic Games in Los Angeles 2028," said Al-Shahi.
