Accident didn’t stop him: UAE badminton ace takes flight on home soil

Dubai: Jamal Khalifa Al Bedwawi doesn’t dwell on the accident that changed his life. Instead, he focuses on the next point, the next match, the next medal — like the one he’s chasing this week on home soil.

The 26-year-old Para shuttler, who sustained a spinal cord injury and damaged nerve in 2012, brought early joy to the host nation with a commanding start at the sixth Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2025, defeating Czech Republic’s Milos Bauer 21-18, 21-2 in men’s singles Group B.

For the Emirati player badminton means gives “freedom, power to achieve his long-cherished goals”. “My personal goals will be to improve my world ranking and more medal winning show,” he added.

“I wasn’t thinking about the win but about fighting for every point,” said Al Bedwawi, a trainee at the Dubai Club for People of Determination. “Every win makes me more confident. The medal in Czech Republic made me feel more responsible — to win for the UAE.”

For Al Bedwawi, Para Badminton isn’t just a sport — it’s a second chance.

An ever-smiling presence in the UAE squad, Al Bedwawi is also a key member of the national wheelchair basketball team. His adaptability and tenacity have earned admiration from teammates and coaches alike, as he prepares to face the toughest opponent in his group — second seed and Paris 2024 silver medallist Choi Jungman — in the next round.

“I will fight tomorrow as well,” he added. “It will be a good learning experience against him.”

Last month, Al Bedwawi made history as the first Emirati to win an international Para badminton medal, taking bronze in Ostrava. Now, he leads a new-look UAE squad in Dubai, competing across all three of his events.

The weeklong event at Shabab Al Ahli Club features 150 shuttlers from 30 nations, including Paralympic and Asian Para Games champions. Malaysia’s Cheah Liek Hou, India’s Krishna Nagar, and Hong Kong’s Chu Man Kai headline a glittering field.

Chu, who calls Dubai his “second home,” is a five-time visitor to the event and returns as the reigning Asian Para Games gold medallist in the SH6 category. “I’ve been coming here since the first edition. I’m looking forward to winning medals again,” he said.

In the women’s SL3 singles, Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna, the Tokyo 2022 world champion, staged a gritty comeback to beat Australia’s Vinot Celine Aurelie 12-21, 21-19, 21-11. “I lost to her in Spain, so I came prepared. I want to win it big on Sunday,” said Kozyna.

The semi-finals are set for Saturday (May 10), with the finals scheduled for Sunday (May 11). For now, all eyes are on the local hero who’s already delivered once — and isn’t done fighting yet.