Ahmed Rashid Al Shehi (28) has shone in the fitness sports sky, establishing himself both in the Arab world and globally, and has become a candidate for major titles in the coming years due to his high potential in CrossFit competitions, through which he has won several titles. Al Shehi managed to win first place and the gold medal at the 2023 World Police Championship in Canada at the age of 25, after a tough competition with strong champions, which confirms his ability to win other world championships in the near future. He also achieved advanced positions, including sixth place at the Arab Championship held in Qatar, first place at the Gulf level in 2025, in addition to first place with the UAE team at the Gulf Championship, and first place in the world in rowing at the 'Strongest Police Officer' championship in the lightweight category in Canada. Despite the difficulty of his sport, Al Shehi has great ambitions, which are to continue representing the country at the international level, competing in the world's largest CrossFit championships, and raising the name of the UAE at international and local forums. Ahmed Al Shehi told 'Emirates Today': 'CrossFit requires a high level of concentration, as well as a strong psychological and mental factor at the same time, with the necessity of staying away from external influences during competitions.' Al Shehi also spoke about the development of CrossFit, explaining that it has witnessed significant gradual growth over the past years since it came under the umbrella of the UAE Federation for Bodybuilding and Fitness, due to the support it receives and the organization of strong championships and incentive prizes, which has contributed to its rapid spread. He praised the efforts of the UAE Federation for Bodybuilding and Fitness, headed by Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, and the elite of prominent athletes in the sport. Regarding the challenges he faced, he clarified that the most prominent is the financial expenses that a fitness athlete bears, due to the need to subscribe to a specialized gym, a swimming pool, and a running track, in addition to the pressure of work and study, and the need for special nutritional supplements and healthy meals. Despite this, he continues his daily training at a rate of two sessions per day, which are the basic requirements for a CrossFit athlete to participate actively in championships. UAE champion Ahmed Al Shehi confirmed that CrossFit is a competitive and at the same time a social sport, and it often helps to enhance social relations among players from different countries of the world. He added: 'I recall a beautiful moment when a Gulf player contacted me to participate with him in one team at a world championship, where each of us traveled from his country and met in a foreign country, and we participated together and presented a distinguished level, although we did not train together.' He pointed out that human relations are one of the most beautiful gains of this sport. He concluded his talk by describing the 'Storm the Gym' championship as one of the strongest championships in the region, held annually in Fujairah, and includes multiple categories, and has greatly contributed to raising the level of professionalism and ambition among players. Ahmed Al Shehi: 'CrossFit requires a high level of mental focus with the necessity of staying away from external influences.'
