It's the middle of an intense judo session inside the gymnasium of the UAE Wrestling and Judo Federation located within the Abu Dhabi Golf and Equestrian Club.
Around 18 judokas, most of them from the Tunisian national team, are sparring against each other under the watchful eyes of their coaches. But among the group is an 18-year-old Emirati who appears to be the focus of attention. Then again, this has pretty much been the story of Saeed Al Qubaisi's life in recent weeks.
Unheard of outside UAE judo boundaries, at least till it was announced he would be part of his country's Olympic contingent to Beijing, Al Qubaisi is still coming to terms with the sudden spotlight.
Good work ethic
Nothing however affects this lad's concentration during training, something his coaches Hassan Moussa and Sergei Saveliev readily testify to. Beijing represents his first taste of Olympic competition, and what Al Qubaisi lacks in experience is more than made up for by his intensity in training.
This is his second session of the day, but he looks ready for another. After a brief sparring session with an opponent, he heads to the cooler to quench his thirst. A quick chat with Moussa follows as he fastens the black belt around his blue judogi with a look of pride. Back to work!
Moussa brings forth another partner to test his ward. The encouragement reverberates around the hall. "Good, good, move, move," bellows Saveliev from the sidelines of the cushioned mat.
Every time Al Qubaisi pulls of a move to perfection, it is met with a roar of applause from his coaches. They obviously yearn for his success as much as he does.
Only the best will do
"I am a two-time Olympian, but now I want to help him better my own results at the Olympics," says Moussa, who represented Tunisia at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 with a seventh place finish at Atlanta.
Al Qubaisi may not be a man of many words, but to him "better" is nothing less than the best. "I'm looking to win the gold," he declares, "I know it is difficult but I'll try. I have been training for a year and I feel good."
Moussa, who has coached the soft-spoken teenager since 2003, is leaving the door open for a surprise. "For me, he can do something because he's young and there's no pressure. His level is good. For this Olympics, we will try our best. For the next one, he will be 22 and will have more experience," says Moussa, a five-time GCC champion.
Underlining the sacrifices Al Qubaisi has had to make, Moussa adds: "I have to keep him motivated. Since 11 he has been a professional. Other boys his age are going to malls whereas he comes here straight from studies."
Whether the Al Ain fan wins a medal in his 73kg weight division or not, he has already entered his country's history books as the first UAE judoka to compete at the Olympics. "I feel proud and I will look to do my country proud. Like this I can be an example to many youngsters, that you can be an Olympian at 18," says the GCC and Arab champion.
