DUBAI: Show jumper Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzouki is still just 21 years old and will be the UAE’s flag bearer at the Paris Olympics, which begins on Friday. But the Asian Games individual silver medallist is feeling no pressure as he carries the UAE’s hopes at the world’s premier sporting extravaganza.
“Everyone wants a medal at the Olympics and I would like to win one too. But I will work hard to represent the UAE in the best possible way. I would be happy if I can win a medal. The experience I have gained in Paris at such a young age will put me in a better position for the next Olympics. This is my first Olympics so I have plenty of time to achieve my goal,” Al Marzouki told Gulf News from Europe, where she has been conducting extensive preparations for the Olympics.
During his preparation, Al Marzouki won the CSI 4-star 1.55m Grand Prix title at the Monfalco Championships in Italy in May. Riding 10-year-old colt Enjoy de la Mure, Al Marzouki beat 46 other riders to win the coveted title, providing a major medal boost for himself and the UAE ahead of the Olympics.
Al Marzouki, who also won a silver medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has competed 906 times, won 60 races and is ranked 192nd in the FEI rankings.
At the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, Al Marzouki won two medals, a silver in the individual event and a bronze in the team event, helping the UAE achieve an unprecedented three medals.
Image Credit: Source: Omar Al Al Marzooqi
Early Beginnings and Family Influences
Al Marzouki started taking up the sport at just three years old, influenced by his father, Abdul Aziz Al Marzouki.
His father is also a UAE international show jumper who trained him when he started riding ponies at the age of six at Al Bahiya Equestrian Centre in 2009. He began competing in 2011 and in 2012, Sheikh Shakhboud bin Nahya Al Nahyan gave him the opportunity to become part of her team, after which he began representing Al Shiraz Stables, founded by Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“I chose show jumping because my father introduced me to the sport. Of course, I also had love and passion for it because it is one of the most difficult equestrian disciplines. To be successful you have to jump with the horse, feel the horse and everything has to be right. That’s how I got into the sport,” he recalled.
Success of the Asian Games and preparation for the Olympics
At the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Al Marzouki won two medals, a silver in the individual event and a bronze in the team event, helping the UAE achieve an unprecedented three medal tally. In addition to his medal tally, the continental championships gave him the opportunity to ease the pressure of a big event. But the Olympics are much more impressive, and Al Marzouki will lead a 14-member UAE contingent competing in equestrian, judo, cycling, swimming and athletics.
“We are the only country to have won three medals at the Asian Games. The Asian Games gave us the opportunity to perform as a team under pressure. Now we are ready to perform at our best and make the UAE proud again,” Al Marzouki added. “My goal is to show the world the UAE’s true sporting potential and the country’s growth in recent years.”
The UAE has been participating in the Olympic Games since the 23rd edition in Los Angeles in 1984, and this will be its 11th time participating. Sheikh Ahmed bin Hasher Al Maktoum won gold in double trap shooting at the Athens 2004 Games, and Sérgio Toma won bronze at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games.
The UAE has been participating in the Olympics since the 23rd Games held in Los Angeles in 1984, and this will be its 11th time taking part in the Games.
Image Credit: Source: Omar Al Al Marzooqi
UAE Olympic Team Profile
The UAE equestrian team competing in the show jumping event includes Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Abdullah Al Marri, Omar Al Marzouki, Salem Al Suwaidi and Ali Al Kalbi, of which four will be selected by technical staff to make the final list.
The national judo team includes five male athletes and one female athlete: Narmand Bayan (under 66kg), Talal Shvili (under 81kg), Aram Grigorian (under 90kg), Dhafer Alam (under 100kg), Omar Maalouf (over 100kg) and female athlete Basirat Karoudi (women’s lightweight under 52kg).
Cyclist Safia Al Sayegh will compete in the road race at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first Emirati female cyclist to qualify for the Olympics. Swimmer Yousef Rashid Al Matrooshi will compete in the 100m freestyle and swimmer Maha Abdullah Al Shehi will compete in the 200m freestyle. Runner Mariam Mohammed Al Farsi will compete in the 100m race.
As the Games approach, Al Marzouki plans to stick with simple competition with a view to winning a medal.
“You just have to believe in yourself, focus on what you’re doing and prepare yourself physically and mentally for the challenge, and everything will work out,” he concluded.