Kuwaiti Champion: A Symbol of Challenge and the Success of Indomitable Will Despite Disability

Filled with pride and adorned with words that capture the spirit of challenge and willpower, I began my remarks by praising and thanking God Almighty for presenting a beautiful Kuwaiti model of success despite challenges and difficult circumstances. She is an excellent role model for all our brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters with disabilities (as we should refer to them, rather than using the term “people with special needs”), and for anyone who loves to embody the spirit of challenge and persistence in achieving success. She is a symbol of resilience for anyone whose determination wavers on the path to realizing their dreams. Indeed, she is a unique model that Kuwait has presented to the entire world, and the Kuwaiti sports community has every right to be proud of her, not just the esteemed Al-Roumi family. Here, I am referring to the Kuwaiti Olympic champion, Adala Hamad Ahmed Hussein Al-Roumi, the star of Kuwaiti sports for people with disabilities. She has raised the Kuwaiti flag at numerous international forums and Olympic competitions, becoming an ambassador for Kuwaiti sports, particularly for people with disabilities, over many years. On the podium, Champion Adala Al-Roumi proved to the world that she is a champion despite physical disability challenges, and determined despite difficulties. Behind every gold, silver, or bronze medal she won lie stories of struggle, persistence, and resilience. Behind every time she stood on the podium, there were courageous national stances that demonstrated her spirit of challenge, excellence, and determination. Every time she represented Kuwait at international forums, she displayed dignity and resolve that conquered the difficult and shattered the impossible, by the grace and success of God Almighty. Before discussing some of her beautiful moments, it may be appropriate to provide a brief overview of her most notable sporting achievements despite the physical disability that has accompanied her since childhood. Champion Adala Al-Roumi has won more than 100 international medals throughout her rich sporting career, ranging from gold to silver and bronze. She has also won five cups, received numerous certificates of appreciation from various local and international organizations, was selected among the top 10 athletes worldwide, and has been honored at many international forums and capitals, including a major honor in the Swiss city of Biel. There are many other medals, titles, and awards that are difficult to enumerate here, which the outstanding Kuwaiti champion Adala Hamad Al-Roumi has rightfully earned at numerous local, regional, and international events. For example, I will mention only three brief incidents to illustrate the spirit of persistence, challenge, and strong willpower that characterized the Kuwaiti champion Adala Hamad Hussein Al-Roumi. As a simple form of tribute, I will leave it to Champion Adala Al-Roumi to recount them herself. When asked about the most difficult situations she faced during her championship journey and rich career, she simply replied that there are many incidents that have influenced her journey and life in general. Among the most notable of these incidents (quoted from an article by Ms. Nadi Al-Rifai, published on the “Kuwait History” website):

First Incident: “When I was about twelve years old, I visited a sports camp for people with disabilities, and I was amazed by the enthusiasm and persistence in training among the players. This gave me a strong sense of challenge and determination to succeed. My only dream from that time onward was to become like them and reach the international level. From then on, I began training and striving to achieve my desired goal. By the grace and success of God Almighty, I became a world champion, and I kept one motto in mind: ‘In life, nothing is impossible... and if you want to achieve something, you will achieve it with determination and persistence, God willing, when you do your utmost.’”

Second Incident: “One of the most difficult yet amusing situations occurred when I was practicing weightlifting. Specifically, when I was lifting a weight of 110 kilograms, the bar (a solid iron bar with weights placed on both ends) fell on my nose, causing a compound fracture. I immediately went to the hospital for X-rays and necessary first aid. Despite the severe injury, the treating doctor was surprised by my lack of concern about what happened. In fact, I simply did not ask him about my health condition or my new situation with the injury. All that occupied my mind was: ‘When can I return to training and weightlifting exercises again?’”

Third Incident: “This incident occurred during my participation in one of the Olympic tournaments, representing my beloved Kuwait in weightlifting. There was strong competition between me and one of the competitors. I had a strong determination to defeat that competitor and achieve a new accomplishment for myself and my beloved Kuwait. However, that competitor was in a higher weight category than mine. Therefore, I was forced to drink more than a liter of water before the competition to increase my weight and enter the same category as that competitor. This is exactly what happened, by God’s grace and favor. I entered the same category as her. With this determination to win, and with that high spirit and strong willpower, I managed to defeat her and all the other competitors in this category. I stood on the podium with my wheelchair, held the Kuwaiti flag high, and won the gold medal. All praise and grace belong to God Almighty.”

At the end of our journey with the inspiring champion Adala Hamad Hussein Al-Roumi, it becomes clear that willpower is the weapon that shattered the impossible, and that excellence is her courage, which made her a symbol of challenge and pride amidst all difficulties. She has proven, by the grace of God Almighty, that willpower is stronger than any constraint, and that whenever she stood on the podiums of glory, she lifted all our spirits to the highest limits. Congratulations to beloved Kuwait for having such a world-class Kuwaiti champion. Congratulations to Champion Adala for this beautiful spirit and unyielding strong willpower. And congratulations to us, the children of Kuwait, for this distinguished sporting model that we proudly present to the entire world. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds.

Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Jarallah Al-Kharafi