Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman al-Qurashi ready to win Paralympic Gold

Abdulrahman al-Qurashi knows what it takes to make it to the Paralympic podium. At the 2020 Tokyo Games he became only the third Saudi athlete in history to win a Paralympic medal, finishing with a bronze in the T53 Men’s 100m.

This meant he added his name to Saudi Arabia’s Paralympic pantheon – joining Osamah al-Shanqiti, winner of gold in the men’s triple jump and silver in the long jump in Beijing in 2008, and Hani Alnakhli, who was a silver medalist in discus at London 2012 and added a bronze in shot put at Rio 2016.

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In Paris, al-Qurashi has one thing on his mind: Follow in al-Shanqiti’s footsteps and become Saudi Arabia’s second Paralympic gold medalist.

“My goal is the same as my fellow competitors – to prove myself on the biggest stage,” al-Qurashi told Al Arabiya English from Paris. “Winning the gold medal is the ultimate dream for every athlete competing at the Paralympics. It’s the pinnacle of achievement that we all aspire to reach.”

“For me, that goal is no different. Bringing home the gold would be a personal triumph, a proud moment for my country, and a reminder of what we can achieve together. I’m driven by the desire to make my country proud, and winning gold would be a powerful way to do just that.”

It has been three years since al-Qurashi crossed the Paralympic finish line in third place, but the Saudi athlete still vividly remembers the experience of winning his first medal at the quadrennial sporting event.

“Tokyo was an incredible feeling I’ll never forget,” he recalled. “I remember the adrenaline rushing as I powered down the track and the determination to finish strong. When I saw that I had secured a bronze medal, I was overjoyed.”

He continued, “Crossing the finish line and seeing the Saudi flag raised was an immensely proud moment. The reaction from my friends and family back home was incredible. My phone was flooded with messages and calls congratulating me.”

“Everyone was so excited, making all the hard work and sacrifices worth it. My family was especially proud - they had supported me every step of the way on this journey.”

With another three years of competition under his belt and a series of impressive results – particularly in the past 12 months, al-Qurashi now finds himself deservedly among the favorites for gold in Paris. He competes in the T53 category of Para athletes, which is for wheelchair athletes with normal use of arms and hands, but no or limited trunk function, and no leg function.

Demonstrating superhuman upper body strength, al-Qurashi consistently powers his way down the 100m track in under 15 seconds; at this year’s World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, the Saudi won gold in a time of 14.87.

“There is more pressure on me heading into the Paris Paralympics, but I see it as a positive challenge rather than a burden,” al-Qurashi said. “This pressure feels different because it comes with a sense of responsibility. I want to make my country proud and show the world what we can achieve in para-sport.”

According to the athlete, who said things can be intense at times, he thrives under pressure.

“It drives me to push harder, train smarter, and focus on my goals. I’ve learned to channel this pressure into motivation,” he said.

“Whenever I feel that weight, I remind myself of the countless hours of preparation and support from my coaches, teammates, and the nation. It fuels my determination to perform at my best.”

Among al-Qurashi’s main competitors in Paris will be Brazilian Ariosvaldo Fernandes Da Silva and Tunisian Mohamed Nidhal Khelifi, who claimed silver and bronze behind him in the 2024 World Para Athletics Championship.

He will also face a familiar foe in the five-time Paralympic gold medalist Pongsakorn Paeyo. The Thai athlete beat al-Qurashi to the Paralympic title in Tokyo but surrendered his Asian Games title to his Saudi opponent in Hangzhou last October.

“My competitors are all incredibly talented athletes, and each one pushes me to improve, though Pongsakorn Paeyo, in particular, stands out,” said al-Qurashi, who will also compete in the T53 400m event in Paris.

“Aside from Paeyo, there are other competitors I need to be mindful of. Each athlete brings their strengths and strategies to the track, and I must be prepared for anything. The field is competitive, and I can’t underestimate anyone.”

With a stacked field, there is a feeling that the T53 100m final could be one for the ages. An example was set at the Olympics in August when American Lyle Jacobs won what was arguably the most competitive men’s 100m final ever seen.

“I watched the 100m final and it was exhilarating,” al-Qurashi, who was among the spectators at the Stade de France, reflected. “It was a race that was really a showcase for some of the best talent in the world. The speed and intensity were remarkable, and you could feel the energy in the stadium.”

“The level of talent and competition among para-athletes is incredibly high too, and I think fans can expect a thrilling showdown. Like the Olympic final, the wheelchair race will showcase the athletes’ speed, skill, and grit; I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.”

Al-Qurashi’s preparations for Paris have been boosted by the recent merger of the previously separate Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committees into one entity.

The 26-year-old, whose training regime in the months leading up to the Paralympics has included three sessions daily of track work, strength and conditioning, insists he has noticed a difference from his build-up to Tokyo.

“This time, everything feels different in terms of my preparation,” al-Qurashi explains. “With the recent merger of the committees, there’s been a significant increase in support and resources available to us as para-athletes.”

“The facilities, coaching, and sports science backing are genuinely world-class. It’s allowed me to take my training to the next level and fine-tune every aspect of my preparation for Paris.”

Al-Qurashi is part of a nine-athlete Saudi Paralympic delegation in Paris but knows that he represents the Kingdom’s leading hope for a medal when he competes in the T53 100m heats and final, due to take place on Wednesday, September 4.

“I’m incredibly excited to support my Saudi teammates,” al-Qurashi said. “I encourage everyone to keep an eye on our athletes. It’s genuinely uplifting to see our team united, and I’m proud to represent Saudi Arabia alongside such talented individuals.”

“Every success story in sports sets a new standard for us and this is what challenges me to work hard and aim higher. Watching athletes who have faced adversity and succeeded is incredibly inspiring,” he said.
“They remind me that with determination and hard work, anything is achievable. I aim to add my success to that legacy and hopefully inspire the next generation of athletes.”

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