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Abeer wheels her way to marathon glory
Abeer Al Sharif, who won the 42.195km marathon wheelchair event, is delighted with her achievement. A polio attack had confined her to a wheelchair from childhood.
- By K.R.Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:33 January 16, 2009
- Abeer Al Sharif, along with her coach Richard Ryan, won the Dubai Marathon wheelchair competition.
- Image Credit: Vazhisojan/Gulf News
Dubai: Abeer Al Sharif, who won the 42.195km marathon wheelchair event, is delighted with her achievement. A polio attack had confined her to a wheelchair from childhood.
"I wanted to win here and had come all the way for it. I feel so nice that I could win a race," remarked Abeer, a Jordanian living in Riyadh.
Proudly touching her gold medal that sparkled, she smiled. "It is so good to become the first Jordanian to win a marathon. If my win will encourage more wheel chair bound people to attempt to race in marathon, I will be very happy," added Abeer, who works in diplomatic quarters in Riyadh.
"I decided to attempt wheel chair marathon after I met Richard Ryan. He was a former marathon runner and he agreed to train me.
"Achillis, a charity organisation that donates wheel chair for those who love to race, gave me one. The wheel chair costs $4,000 [Dh14,680] and I am thankful to them for their gesture," she said.
Appreciating Abeer's hard work, Ryan said: "She worked really hard and it is nice she won it here. Every day we used to do weight training, stretching exercises and train in stationary wheel chair as well as her racing wheel chair. In fact, I also monitored her nutrition."
Abeer wants to achieve more glory. "This victory has given me the boost. My next aim is to participate in the New York marathon.
"To win there will be special because over 4,000 disabled athletes will be taking part in it. I will start my preparations right away," said Abeer, wheeling away to shake hands with her friends.
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