womanthismonth.com | JULY 2026 SPORTS 92 Fighting For Gold Fatima Kalawadh made Bahraini sporting history at the 4th GCC games with a landmark taekwondo gold, inspiring young girls nationwide through discipline, courage and a refusal to give up. Firstly, congratulations on making history. How does it feel to become the first Bahraini woman to win a gold medal in taekwondo for Bahrain? It is an incredible honour, and something I will always be proud of. Winning Bahrain’s first women’s gold medal in the 49kg category was not just a personal achievement, it became a moment in Bahrain’s sporting history, and that is something I will always cherish. This achievement represents a journey that began when I was just nine years old at Almuhtarif Taekwondo Club. Looking back, it is amazing to see how far that little girl has come. When I realised I had won, my first thoughts were about everyone who had been part of the journey: my coaches, my teammates, my family and everyone who believed in me along the way. The medal represents years of discipline, sacrifices, setbacks and lessons that led to that moment. Standing on that podium reminded me that hard work truly pays off, and I hope this achievement encourages more girls to believe they can make history too. Looking back on your journey, what have been the biggest challenges you have faced, and what kept you motivated to reach this moment? I think the biggest challenge has been learning that this journey is truly ‘you versus you’. People see the competitions and medals, but they do not always see the discipline behind them, showing up when you are tired, staying consistent, balancing a full-time career, recovering from injuries and continuing even when things do not go your way. Success can sometimes feel like a lonely journey. Even though you are surrounded by coaches, teammates and people who support you, there are moments only you can face. Those quiet moments, when no one is watching and you still choose to keep showing up, are what truly shape you. I recently dealt with an ankle injury, and moments like that test you mentally just as much as physically. That is when you discover who you really are. You learn to reset, adapt and keep moving forward. Our club, Almuhtarif, has a motto that has stayed with me throughout my journey: “Never Give Up.” It is a simple phrase, but it carries a powerful meaning. It reminds me that setbacks are not the end, they are part of the process, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Who has had the greatest influence on your career, both inside and outside the sport? My journey has never been the journey of one person. Behind every medal is a team of people who believed in me long before anyone knew my name. My mother encouraged me and my siblings to live an active lifestyle and explore different sports from a young age. Her encouragement is the reason I discovered taekwondo in the first place. I began my taekwondo journey at Almuhtarif when I was nine years old, and from that very first day, my coaches became an important part of my growth, not only as an
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==