Maryam Basharat, a 17-year-old karate champion, has successfully won her second world championship gold medal at the Under-21 Championships in Poland. With this victory, she not only registered her name in the history of karate but also became a representative of Palestine on the international stage.
Challenges and Hardships
Basharat mentioned the challenges of life in the West Bank in an interview with the media. She said, "My daily life was spent witnessing the killing of people and the bombing of homes." She also referred to the difficulties she faced in transportation and access to sports facilities. Basharat explained that many times she could not easily travel from one city to another and had to travel to neighboring countries like Jordan or Egypt to train with other athletes.
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Basharat continued, "Financially, there was also not enough support for an elite athlete. These issues made the path to championship very difficult for me." However, she was able to achieve her goals through hard work and dedication.
The Role of Family in Success
Her family has always been a source of inspiration and support for Basharat. Her father and uncle helped her as a coach and manager. She also mentioned that her mother and sisters recently moved to Hamburg, Germany, to be with her, while her father remained in Palestine due to managing the dojo (training place).
Basharat expressed mixed feelings about leaving her homeland, saying, "I am happy to be in Germany because many opportunities have opened up for me here, but life in Palestine was very dear to me, and I feel the absence of my family and friends."
Responsibilities of a Champion
Basharat pointed out that she carries many responsibilities, as she is considered a representative of her country as an elite athlete from Palestine. She said, "There is a lot of pressure from the country and the people on me because I represent them and raise their flag."
She is currently recognized as the number one in her category by the World Karate Federation and is looking forward to the opportunity to compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. However, she expressed hope that karate would return to the 2024 Olympics so she could participate in this major event.
Basharat concluded by saying, "My goal is to become a world champion in the adult category, and this is the greatest achievement I can reach in karate. Also, winning an Olympic medal and representing my country with the flag will be a picture of joy and pride for me."
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