Episode 118

The lift from the Gods saved my career - Ali Jawad, Paralympics GB Powerlifting

Published on: 8th July, 2021

Ali Jawad has been named in the Paralympics GB team heading to Tokyo for powerlifting. Ali's been a great guest on this podcast, telling his story over the last six months to today's announcement.

It's been an uncertain journey and not just because of the pandemic. Ali has been revealing his thoughts and talking about the obstacles over the last six months. He was born with no legs in the Lebanon before moving to the UK.

He excelled in powerlifting and made the Paralympic team for Beijing in 2008 but was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease just before hand. Over the years he just missed out on a medal in London and got silver in Rio. But his condition has worsened and he has really struggled to match his former performances. For much of this year it looked unlikely that he'd make the team - but an incredible lift a few weeks ago has changed that.

Well done Ali and congratulations.

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About the Podcast

Destination Tokyo
Olympic and Paralympic stories in the run up to the Tokyo Games.
I’ve covered 5 Olympic and 5 Paralympic Games at home and abroad. Tokyo 2020 was to have been numbers 6. So how are the athletes preparing during Covid times. And what are they learning in the run up to the Games. The Podcast lasts around 10 mins and comes out daily, Monday to Friday. I’m also using it to raise money for Maggie’s Cancer Centres to thank them for the help they’ve given my wife and family during her bowel cancer journey.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/destinationtokyo
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About your host

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Mark Shardlow

Hi - I'm Mark, a Sports Journalist specialising in Olympic and Paralympic Sports. I also help others podcast.