Abdulqadir wants to bring more laurels to Qatar

* His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani granted Al Wajbah Decoration to Abdulqadir in recognition for his achievements* Gulf Times honours Abdulqadir for his sporting achievements and for also being a role model to Qatari and Arab youth

Abdulrahman Abdulqadir is in no mood to rest on his laurels. The Qatari athlete already has two Paralympic Games under his belt, having won a silver in Rio 2016 and a bronze in Tokyo earlier this year in the shot put – F34 event.While that is an exceptional record already, Abdulqadir is aiming to keep bringing laurels to Qatar. The 33-year-old has been an inspiration for people with disabilities in Qatar and many youth want to follow his footsteps.Post his historic feat in Tokyo, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani granted Al Wajbah Decoration to Abdulqadir in recognition for his achievements.On Tuesday, Qatar’s leading English newspaper Gulf Times held a reception ceremony in honour of Abdulqadir and felicitated him for his sporting achievements and for also being a role model to Qatari and Arab youth.Editor-in-Chief of Gulf Times Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka received Abdulqadir and gave him a memento. Abdullah bin Ghanim Abdullah al-Binali al-Mohannadi, Editor-in-Chief of Arrayah Arabic daily, a sister publication of Gulf Times, was also present on the occasion.Al-Mudahka congratulated Abdulqadir for his accomplishments. “I am pleased to congratulate the champion Abdulrahman Abdulqadir and Captain Mohamed Suhail Shakou, the technical expert, on this great victory,” he said.

“I congratulate His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, the Qatar Federation for People with Special Needs headed by His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Saud al-Thani, Dr. Hassan al-Ansari, Secretary General, and Amir al-Mulla, Executive Director.“These great achievements placed Qatar in first place among the Arab countries participating in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. I wish Abdulqadir success in the upcoming tournaments and hope he wins more medals that reflect the development of the level of Qatari sports and its prominent presence at all levels. May God help us and you to raise the name of our dear country Qatar high, under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani,” the Editor-in-Chief of Gulf Times said.Abdulqadir thanked Gulf Times for recognising his achievements and said he will work even harder to win medals for his country. Apart from two Olympic medals, Abdulqadir also claimed gold at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London and 2014 Incheon Asian Para Games. He now wants to make a hat-trick of Olympic Medals at the Paris Games in 2024, where he is aiming for a gold medal.“Winning gold medal in Paris is my ultimate goal. It is a big responsibility for me and I hope that I can meet this challenge. I am already working towards achieving that landmark,” he said.In Tokyo earlier this year, Abdulqadir won bronze in the shot put F34 event despite carrying an injury in his left wrist to become the first Qatari double medallist at the Paralympic Games.

While Abdulqader was still basking in that glory, meeting HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to receive Al Wajbah Decoration he said was his ultimate honour. “It was the biggest moment of my life and one that is very close to my heart. It will serve as an incentive for me to continue on the path of success,” he said.Abdulqadir’s feats in the sport has also made him very popular in Qatar and he wants to give it back by involving himself in more awareness related work. Before the pandemic, he used to visit schools on National Sports Day and on School Olympic Day to motivate and encourage students to embrace sports.“People do come to me and ask about how to get into Para sports. There are kids who want to emulate me which is a good sign. Awareness is a key for change and every time I win a medal the Para sports gets popularity in Qatar.

“I tell children nothing is impossible and to believe in their own abilities and train harder and you will succeed. Speaking to children and motivating them is something I have immensely enjoyed and I would like to keep doing that again and again,” he said.On being called a national icon, Abdulqadir says: “I feel I now carry a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. I was Qatar’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics. I will try to convey this responsibility in my messages to Qatari youth and tell them nothing is impossible,” he added.Abdulqader also credited his long-time coach Ahcene Bouteldja for his success. The Algerian has trained his Qatari ward since 2008. It is an 18-year-long association, which has grown stronger over the years.Abdulqader credits Bouteldja for being the most influential person in his career. “He has been with me since the start of my career in 2008. It is an 18-year-long association with him. He has played a very important role in my success,” said the athlete, who started as a javelin thrower.Bouteldja, meanwhile, speaks highly of his pupil and said Abdulqadir has a good chance of winning gold in Paris. “He is a very motivated person. He always wants to give his best and he knows how to seize the big moments. Yes, winning a gold in Paris is tough but it is not impossible, I must say it is very much possible,” Bouteldja said.

Abdulqadir began his sporting journey when his physical therapist suggested that he join the Qatari Paralympic Committee. "I eventually signed up. At the time, athletics was the only sport available so that is what I started with. I found that I loved it so I kept going. I became more knowledgeable about the importance of training hard and following the directives of the technical team, from my coach Ahcene Bouteldja, to the physiotherapist, the dietitian and all the officials in the Paralympic Committee,” said Abdulqader, who called his parents as his biggest source of support and strength.