Dubai: For Yousuf Al Matrooshi, the Paris Olympics provides an emotional opportunity to showcase the best of himself in the 100-metre freestyle swimming. The University of Michigan International Studies student will be competing in the 100-metre heats on Tuesday and has been meticulously preparing for the Paris Olympics during the last two years in the US.
“For me, having had the Tokyo Olympics be such a positive and memorable opportunity, it has actually made me so much more excited for Paris,” the 21-year-old told Gulf News as he is preparing for the showpiece in Paris.
“As a competitor, no matter how prepared you are, there is always something you are looking to improve. I’ve just completed my second year at University of Michigan, so in truth my preparations started when I made the move two years ago. The American Swimming Program is amazing, but before I could begin to benefit from it, I needed to put in a lot of work. So, I have been preparing myself to be a better swimmer for the past two years, with Paris as the main focus since the World Aquatics Championships in Doha this past February,” Al Matrooshi added.
Having lost his father when he was a teenager, Al Matrooshi believes a good show in Paris will be a perfect way to honour his dad who has been very supportive in his swimming journey. “My father Rashed has been my idol and an inspiration. He passed away when I was a teenager. He was a great person to me and this has always driven me to give my best so that I can honour him,” a poignant Al Matrooshi said.
Early beginnings
The Emirati took up swimming as a hobby to lead an active lifestyle after realising that he was better in the pool than on a football field. “I have been swimming for more than half my life and in the beginning, it was just what I did, but as I began to improve, I actually started to win. And for any young kid, especially when you are part of a club, this attention is great. So, I began to take things a bit more seriously. I didn’t miss training, I worked hard to improve my skills. As I got older, I realised if my grades and my swimming were both good, this could be an opportunity for me. Covid threw this a bit off course, but with a lot of hard work and a bit of luck, I ended up getting myself accepted to University of Michigan and being offered an opportunity to swim for them as well. It has been amazing,” Al Matrooshi recounted his path towards glory.
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Olympic experience
The Emirati swimmer finished third in the Tokyo Olympics Heat at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre after clocking 51.50 seconds but finished 50th in a field of 70. Al Matrooshi aims to use all that experience to good use in Paris and is keen to better the result this time.
“I’m hoping to achieve a personal best in Paris. Even though I was young in Tokyo, being around so many exceptional athletes ignites and energises you to not only do your best, but to continue and try to become a better swimmer to be competing against them. What I learnt the most in Tokyo is that no matter how many athletes you are competing against, you need to make sure that you are not distracted from your goals,” he added.
Inspiring the next generation
Al Matrooshi is part of a 14-member UAE contingent who will be taking part in five sports: showjumping, judo, swimming, cycling, and athletics. The Games also gives him an opportunity to be a path-breaker and inspire many Emiratis.
“As an Emirati, I think it is important to know that if you are committed and willing to put in the hard work, your country will support you. It is because the improvements you make will inspire even greater improvements for those beginning their own journey after you.”
Other UAE performances
The UAE athletes, especially the judokas, were not able to reprise their recent form when Bishrelt Khorloodoi, who had won the Asian Championships gold, lost in the round of 16 in the 52kg women’s lightweight category on Sunday. Khorloodoi lost to German Mascha Ballhaus 0-11, while Narmandakh Bayanmunkh (under 66kg), another of UAE’s top medal prospects, lost to South Korea’s An Ba-ul 0-10 in the round of 32.
Swimmer Maha AlShehi finished fifth in the 200-metre freestyle heats behind India’s 14-year-old Dhinidhi Desinghu. The 18-year-old Olympic debutant finished ahead of another Saudi Arabian teenager, Mashael Meshar A Alayed.
The 17-year-old became the first Saudi athlete to win a gold at a Gulf event, winning the under-18 100-metre breaststroke in the 2024 Gulf Youth Games in Dubai. Mashael, who began swimming after being encouraged by her father to adopt a healthy lifestyle, also won the silver in the 100-metre freestyle.
