Sport | Other Sports
Lahna hopes to inspire Arab athletes
The Moroccan who lost his right leg at birth due to an agenesis handicap will undoubtedly be one of the main attractions
- By Rohan Alvares, Sports Reporter
- Published: 00:00 March 11, 2010
Dubai: He has achieved on one leg what many of us would struggle to achieve with both, but leading Arab paratriathlete Mohammad Lahna has no plans on slowing down just yet.
The Moroccan who lost his right leg at birth due to an agenesis handicap will undoubtedly be one of the main attractions at Saturday's maiden Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.
And on what will be his first visit to the country, Lahna is looking at the event as an opportunity to inspire his fellow Arabs to take up the sport.
"I'm very excited to be coming to the UAE," Lahna told XPRESS.
"I wish I can be an inspiration to disabled people in the Arab world and in Morocco, since many of them rarely participate in any sport, let alone triathlon," he added.
Being the only Arab paratriathlete to complete an Ironman event ranks as one of Lahna's many proud achievements. But even without any sponsor to back him at present, he nurtures a bigger dream - winning gold at the 2016 Paralympic Games. "As an athlete it is my ultimate dream, but after that I plan to study some course on sports for disabled people. I wish to develop this field in the Arab world because I think it needs it," said the full-time graphic designer.
Lahna turns 28 two days before the big race and asked what result would make for an ideal birthday present, he said: "Participating in this event is a reward in itself. I just hope I finish it in a good time and without any injuries."
With inputs form Salam Al Amir
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