In a quiet corner of Egypt’s Greater Cairo district, few could have imagined that a little girl leaning on crutches would someday rise to hoist the hopes of a nation. Fatma Mahrous was born on June 1, 2000, with a physical disability that challenged her ability to walk. Yet, the Olympic Paralympic champion has spent her life defying expectations.
Fatma knew from an early age that she was different. Her community ensured she was aware of it, often reminding her of what set her apart. But instead of letting those perceptions define her, she devoted her life to defying them.
At the age of eight, fate introduced her to the turning point of her life: Captain Samir Jabara, a weightlifting coach, who saw her walking with crutches on the street, and where others might have seen a struggling child, he saw potential.
“In his eyes, I wasn’t just a little girl walking with difficulty. He saw a champion,” Fatma recalls. She tells The New Arab that her beginnings in weightlifting, however, were anything but smooth.
“I knew nothing about sports,” she admits, “and it felt like something far beyond my world, but I chose to try.”
“After nearly 16 years of training, it almost feels like weightlifting didn’t find me, I found myself through it”
The cold, metallic grip of the barbell handles felt intimidating in her hands, and the weights stacked on either side seemed almost taunting in their enormity. But the young girl felt like she had something to prove and continued.
“Days went by and the weights became more than metal,” she says. “They became a new language that taught me to push beyond the limits of my fears.”
By the time she turned 12, she had competed in her first local championship, with many more competitions following. Over her professional career, she has won more than 22 local and international medals and became Egypt’s Paralympic Olympic silver champion.
“Now that I think of it, after nearly 16 years of training, it almost feels like weightlifting didn’t find me, I found myself through it,” she says.
A champion in the making
“Even as a child, Fatma had a magnetic presence, there was something effortlessly special about her,” says Yasser Emad, her cousin and close friend.
“When she began her athletic journey, we didn’t grasp its significance at first. But as her coaches lauded her abilities, we realised this wasn’t a hobby; it was her destiny.”
For Yasser, one moment stands out: her victory at the Fazza International Championships in the UAE.
“That win was a turning point — it felt like she declared to the world, ‘I’m here, and I’m unstoppable.’ Her journey to the Tokyo Paralympics wasn’t without hardship, but it set the stage for Paris.”
Her current coach, Shaaban El-Dessouki, recalls the first time he met Fatma during the selection trials for Egypt’s national Paralympic weightlifting team.
“Her abilities were extraordinary,” he tells The New Arab. “From day one, I could see her ambition wasn’t just to join the team but to etch her name into history with record-breaking feats.”
He adds that Fatma possessed “a remarkable physique ideally suited for weightlifting,” which allowed her to make rapid strides in her performance. Yet her success was not solely due to physical strength; her exceptional “mental toughness” played a crucial role.
“Her mother played an important role in shaping that toughness,” he says. “During training camps, we made the rare decision to permit her mother to be present, recognising the importance of her support for Fatma’s mental wellbeing. Having her mother around provided the emotional stability she needed, helping her stay focused and fuelling her growth in ways we hadn’t expected.”
Yet, it wasn’t an easy road, according to the coach.
“Fatma struggled with controlling the bar during her lifts. Her quick descents and lack of precision were holding her back,” he explains. “Together, we worked tirelessly to refine her technique. With patience and perseverance, she mastered control, paving the way for her silver medal in Paris.”
But what set Fatma apart, according to Shaaban was her “discipline and unwavering trust” in the process. She followed his notes and embraced constructive criticism.
He recalls the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics with a mix of pride and frustration.
“Fatma delivered an outstanding performance, exceeding anything we had seen in training. But due to unfavourable judging, we finished fourth. It was a tough pill to swallow, but it became a driving force.”
Paris 2024
Fatma’s defining moment came in September at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Mere weeks before the competition, she faced the devastating loss of her mother, her greatest source of strength and biggest supporter, who had never missed one of her training sessions. The 24-year-old was lost at a time when she was also battling a debilitating injury.
“I didn’t know if I could do it,” she says. “But I wanted to honour my mother and my country.”
“This medal isn’t just a piece of metal; it’s proof that hard work and perseverance can create the impossible”
In Paris, Fatma made good on her promise to her mother. She lifted an astonishing 139 kilograms in the women’s 67 kg weightlifting category to win her first Olympic silver medal and Egypt’s second in the games. Her victory was not just another podium finish, for her, it was a testament to triumph over adversity.
“It was more than just a personal victory. It felt as though I was placing another stone in the construction of a dream much larger than myself,” she tells The New Arab. “This medal isn’t just a piece of metal; it’s proof that hard work and perseverance can create the impossible.”
Although Fatma aimed for the gold, and was initially disappointed when she won silver, over time, she realised that coming in second was a greater lesson as it taught her that “success is not always measured by the titles you win, but by what you learn along the way.”
What’s next?
Fatma reflects on her journey, she expresses heartfelt gratitude for her family, friends, and supporters.
“My mother and siblings were always by my side, never sparing any effort to uplift me. I thank them from the bottom of my heart” she says. “The love and encouragement from my fans have also been a guiding light during moments of doubt.”
No longer content with personal triumphs, the young Olympic champion also aspires to be a voice for others navigating similar challenges. She wants to launch a magazine spotlighting the stories of individuals with disabilities, narratives of resilience and hope, much like her own, that challenge perceptions and inspire others to defy limitations.
“I hope my journey shows people that dreams aren’t impossible, no matter how far-fetched they may seem,” she adds.
Looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics, Yasser and the rest of her family and friends are confident that Fatma has what it takes.
“We know she won’t stop until she achieves her ultimate dream. Fatma isn’t just a champion for our family; she’s a beacon of hope for all who know her,” Yasser says.
Fatma promises that her journey is far from over.
“Los Angeles will be the golden chapter of my story,” she declares with unshakable confidence, ready to turn the next page of her legacy.
[Cover photo: (c) FilGoal]
Fatma Elzahraa Badwy is an Egyptian journalist interested in investigative reporting, cultural affairs, and women’s rights. She currently contributes to Rose al-Yusuf magazine and writes for several independent platforms, including Al Manassa and Fekr Tany
This article is published in collaboration with Egab
