Ibrahim Hamadtou. Photo/courtesy.
In the world of Paralympics the story of Ibrahim Hamadtou stand above all. The Egyptian para-table tennis player lost both arms in a tragic accident, Hamadtou defied the odds to become a celebrated athlete.
How Hamadtou lost his hands
At the tender age of ten, a devastating train accident robbed Ibrahim Hamadtou of both his arms. For most, this tragedy would have ended their aspirations, but for Hamadtou, it marked the beginning of an incredible journey.
At 13, he set out to prove that nothing is impossible.“In our village, we could only play, at that time, table tennis and soccer that’s why I played both. It was logic to play soccer first due to my case; then I played table tennis as a challenge,” he shared with CNN.
Growing up in Kafr Saad, a small village in northeastern Egypt, Hamadtou’s passion for sports was evident from a young age. While soccer seemed a natural choice given his circumstances, Hamadtou was irresistibly drawn to table tennis, a sport he decided would be his ultimate challenge.
At just 13, Hamadtou embarked on his journey into para-table tennis. With no prior experience and the additional challenge of adapting the sport to his unique circumstances, he experimented with various methods to hold the paddle.
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After much trial and error, he discovered that playing with the paddle in his mouth was the most effective approach.
“It was quite difficult playing table tennis after the accident,” Hamadtou recalls. “I had to practice hard for three consecutive years on a daily basis. At the beginning, people were amazed and surprised seeing me play. They encouraged and supported me a lot, and they were very proud of my will, perseverance, and determination.”
His dedication was undeniable. Hamadtou trained relentlessly, often in isolation to avoid the stares and whispers of others. His hard work eventually paid off as he refined his technique and began to achieve significant success in competitions.
By 2013, Hamadtou’s commitment was recognized on a larger scale when he earned a silver medal at the African Para-Table Tennis Championships. His talent and perseverance continued to shine as he competed against some of the sport’s biggest names on the international stage.
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In 2014, he was honored as a guest at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan, where he demonstrated his exceptional skills and competed against elite players.“Ibrahim is a very nice man with faith and perseverance,” said Alaa Meshref, the president of the Egyptian Table Tennis Federation. “His determination and perseverance prove that insisting on your goal is always achievable.”
Despite the physical and financial challenges he faces, Hamadtou remains focused on his goals. His story is not just about athletic prowess but also about overcoming immense adversity with grace and tenacity.
Hamadto’s journey is more than a tale of athletic achievement; it is a powerful message of hope and possibility.He believes that the key to overcoming obstacles lies in hard work and unwavering determination. His mantra, “nothing is impossible, as long as you work hard,” resonates deeply with those who face their own struggles.
Today, Hamadtou continues to inspire others through his accomplishments and his unwavering spirit as he set for his third Paralympic appearance.
