Cheers for Champions

Hamad Al-Ahbabi is excited to be competing in his first World Games—and he has worked hard for this opportunity. He’s learned a lot through sports, including perseverance. That’s because he missed out on his first major opportunity to compete—and it was a crushing blow.

Hamad was just 14 when he had the honor of being named to Team Qatar for the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. It was a team of impressive athletes and Hamad was training hard to bring his roller-skating skills and speed to the highest level. Then he got sick.

His illness hit just before the competition, and doctors said Hamad could not participate. The young teen was devastated, thinking he would never get the chance to go to a World Games ever again.

But, after a period of recovery and consistent good health, Hamad is back in action. Now 18, he feels even more ready to show off his athletic skills on behalf of his home country!

One of Team Australia’s youngest athletes, 16-year-old Karen Messmer has overcome much adversity already. She was born nearly three months early, weighing in about 1 lb, 13 oz. She also had a hole in her heart. Yet, even then, Karen seemed determined to reach her goals.

Her mother, Suzanne, recalls that Karen had to work hard to gain strength and stamina, despite hypotonia and other conditions related to her premature birth. Karen really started gaining confidence, as well as muscle development, when she took up horseback riding. A turning point came when she got involved in equestrian training with Special Olympics. First, the training helped her get stronger and develop more skills; then, she just kept getting better. Soon, she felt confident enough to enter local competitions. Eventually, Karen started working toward another, loftier goal: competing at the next Special Olympics World Games, set for June 2023 in Berlin, Germany.

Of course, Karen’s dad, Gunther, was always one of her biggest boosters. He also shared Karen’s dream of going to the 2023 World Games in Berlin, as Gunther was of Austrian/German heritage. Together, they talked of returning to the family’s homeland in Germany and perhaps visiting long-lost relatives. But Gunther died in November 2021, the victim of a violent robbery. “He never got to know Karen qualified for selection for Team Australia,” says her mom. “He would have been very proud.”

In his memory, Karen persevered. She continues working to be the best she can be. She also continues a strict training regiment, which requires a lot of dedication—especially when balancing her school schedule. Ahead of World Games, you’ll find Karen training before daybreak at least three times a week, usually around at 4:30 am. That’s how she’s getting ready to compete, overcoming any obstacles in her way, as she is used to doing. In her words, “Follow your dreams and always keep trying."

Ranveer made headlines in his local papers in 2015 when he became the first Bharat athlete to win a gold medal in golf at a World Games competition.

That was not the first time Ranveer received widespread acclaim. He was also the first Special Olympics Bharat athlete to be a LIMCA Book of Records holder for four consecutive years. In addition, he’s a recipient of the Highest Sports Honor of State, the ‘Bhim Award.' His performance at the Special Olympics Golf Masters in 2013, not only brought him victories at Level I and Level 2; his achievement earned him another mention in the the LIMCA Book of Records.

Through the years, Ranveer has trained diligently to perfect his swing. Diagnosed with autism at age 2, he has been fighting negative stereotypes all his life—and changing attitudes as well.

Taylor MacKenzie sees sports as a great equalizer: when she’s in the water she doesn’t feel any different from other people. In the pool, she says, "Nobody judges me or my disability. It's where I feel happy and can be myself."

Taylor, who has autism and intellectual disabilities, says she can prove her great skills through sports—without saying a word. Her dad agrees that “nobody is judging her or what she has and she is very comfortable” in the pool.

It's been quite a journey for Taylor, who didn't utter her first words until age 5. What inspired her to reach out and communicate? An exhilarating jump into the pool—and how it felt on her "tickle toes."

These days, her friends call her “Smiler" and we can see why. Taylor is especially happy in the pool. But success has not been easy.

Recalls her dad, "Over the years, this swim journey has been as traumatic and challenging as it has been exciting and rewarding, with a constant roller coaster of emotions. She's gone from self doubt to total belief in her own ability, which has got her where she is today...in and out of the water!"

At 15 years old, Taylor will be one of the youngest swimmers at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. She specializes in the freestyle and butterfly stroke—and keeps getting better with every practice session.

Taylor says sports has taught her a lot already. “Sports taught me to learn from disappointments,” she says. “You won't always win or get top marks, but that's okay. Always do your best.”

Says Taylor, "It doesn't matter if I'm not perfect or winning every time I race. I feel good if I've done my best.”

Clari Lehmkuhl is a longtime trailblazer for inclusion, starting in grade school. When Clari—who has Down syndrome—was accepted into a regular (not special) school, it was front-page news in her hometown of Alberton, South Africa. Her mother says that mainstream education has made all the difference in Clari’s progress.

After she and her family moved to the United Arab Emirates, she became a role model there as well—proving that people with intellectual disabilities are capable of achieving their dreams.

Health and fitness are huge parts of Clari’s life. She started taking Zumba classes, then persevered to become the country's first certified Zumba instructor with Down syndrome—and one of the very few in the world.

Clari has also worked four years in a secretarial job at NYU Abu Dhabi. In addition, she’s been an assistant at a major marketing agency, doing general administration—from filing, scanning and printing to mail duties and ordering stationery.

As for tennis, Clari has been a dedicated player since age 6. She’s been training hard for the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. At the last World Games in Abu Dhabi, she took on the challenge of competing as the only female singles tennis player representing the host country! She is definitely ready to bring back more medals in Berlin.

Clari is also starting to learn how to cook as part of becoming more independent. In Clari’s words, “I am a will-powered woman—and very happy!”

Jaime Cruz Juscamaita wants to build a better world for people with intellectual disabilities—one play, one speech, one competition at a time.

He’s a 28-year-old with Down syndrome, who’s been breaking barriers in Peru all his life. As a child, he was one of the first students with intellectual disabilities included within the regular school system.

As a teen, he became interested in acting, taking on elocution classes and roles in several plays, including a production of “Hamlet."

As an adult, he’s continued working in theater at night and as a hotel waiter by day. Jaime has also been tapped as a public speaker for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. He’s been invited to speak in Great Britain, Bolivia, Mexico, Colombia—and the United Nations.

He’s currently working in communications for the Peruvian Down Syndrome Society and preparing to live independently.

At the same time, he’s been training for the Special Olympics World Games swimming competition. Jaime is skilled in freestyle, butterfly, and relay competitions. He’s also achieved a gold medal as part of Peru’s national “butterfly x 50” team.

For Jaime, his sports, acting and activism are all part of his work for an inclusive world—which means everything to him. Jaime says: “It is important because the world is made up of ALL of us and we must live with respect toward others.”

These days, Reginald Fong is upbeat and chatty. It’s hard to imagine that he used to be shy and withdrawn, rarely communicating with others.

He also had severe asthma when he was young, so his father decided to try boosting Reginald’s fitness and stamina through swimming. It took awhile, but gradually, his health and strength improved.

But still, Reginald seldom communicated with other people; his family said he always seemed to live in his own world. Eventually, Reginald was assessed as autistic and with intellectual disability. In Hong Kong culture at that time, there was enormous stigma. The diagnoses were really hard for Reginald’s parents to accept.

After his family adjusted and rallied, they worked to expose Reginald to different types of activities to find his interests; however, Reginald was not interested in these activities. He seemed to wish to stay withdrawn into his own private world.

Finally, with the support of family and friends, he tried something new—a sport that brought a big change: golf. Reginald loved this new sport and became interested in learning more, as well as meeting new people who loved golf as much as he did. Through participating in Special Olympics golf training, he has opened his world to accept others into his life. Reginald has met many coaches and teammates, with whom he had this great sport and interest in common. Soon, his attitude changed—he became cheerful and positive. His family was thrilled as he also became inspired to start communicating with others.

He soon became ready to compete in major events, including the Special Olympics Macau Golf Masters in Macau and the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. For the Special Olympics Macau Golf Masters, Reginald faced heavy rain on competition day. He did not give up and strived to play his best. He earned an individual award in that competition. This experience has helped Reginald prepare to overcome other obstacles in his daily life.

At the 2019 Special Olympics World Games, Reginald participated in a Level 4 event and he had to communicate with his teammates, coaches, caddie etc. without the company of his family members. It was a milestone for him, another exciting step toward independence.

These days, Reginald also participates in Special Olympics Athlete Leadership, including athlete leadership trainings to improve his speaking and communication skills. He was also selected as one of the torch runners in 2019 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Hong Kong.

Now he’s on the Hong Kong team competing at the 2023 World Games in Berlin. Reginald will be ready to show his courage in overcoming challenges, just like the Special Olympics athlete oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Kirk knows a lot about overcoming obstacles and inspiring others to do the same. When he was younger, Kirk—who was born with both intellectual and physical disabilities—learned how to walk and run using his arms and knees. This happened because his family could not afford to buy a wheelchair to help him.

This is the kind of determination that Kirk brings to every competition. He first showed this resilience at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, where he raced on all fours in the 50-meter. He narrowly missed the bronze medal—even as he competed against other athletes running upright. Then he won gold in the softball throw event; this was also a difficult feat, since Kirk was throwing from a sitting position, while others stood. Oh—and he was just 13 years old at that time.

Four years later, he competed at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi—where his athleticism earned him a silver medal and captured global attention, including superstar Usain Bolt. The Olympian congratulated Kirk on his success, saying “Respect goes out …Anything is possible.”

Now, Kirk is back for yet another World Games competition—a 'three-peat'—in Berlin! Cheer him on by sharing his story!

Josee was still riding high from her multi-medal achievements at Canada's 2018 National Games when the then-27-year-old Ontario resident was chosen for the 2019 World Games; one among a growing number of female powerlifters. Her records then were deadlifting 295 pounds (now it's 298) and bench-pressing 137.

Not bad for a young lady with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and a vision impairment. At the 2019 WG, she earned multiple medals: "four golds and one silver,” she says. Her family was once warned she'd always be in delicate health. Sports changed all that!!

These days, she Josee only wants to get better: she qualified for Team Canada after lifting her way to three gold medals at Canada's Games.

Josee has also had to work through a recent injury, but is back in the gym and training to prepare for Berlin in June. She balance her training regimen with a full-time job in long-term care. While the long hours can be challenging, Josee says: sometimes, you have to dig down deep to jump-start motivation. “Just get up and go and get moving and then you feel better afterwards,” she says.

One of Team Lebanon's most versatile athletes, Rabah—who has Down syndrome—has excelled at both summer sports, including open water swimming and roller-skating, and winter sports, mainly specializing in alpine skiing.

While training for the 2013 World Winter Games, Rabah fell hard and was badly injured. Doctors told him that he’d never ski again, which was tragic news, because for Rabah, skiing was his most favorite sport his whole life.

However, Special Olympics coaches and volunteers, as well as his supportive family, helped him find new hope with a new sport. Then in his forties, he started a new chapter in his life: taking on open swimming. He started getting good, very good; and in no time, he joined Lebanon’s swim team and took part in the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles.

He also competed against swimmers from all across the Middle East and North Africa at the 2018 IX Special Olympics MENA Regional Games in Abu Dhabi. Now in his 50s, Rabah is taking his joyful spirit & talents to yet another sport: bowling!