From fruit vendor to Paralympic contender: Erbil’s Ahmed Sheikh sets sights on Paris 2024
An intriguing tale of a young Erbilian rising above adversity to become one of the region’s top sportsmen among Iraqi clubs competing on a worldwide scale. This report narrates his story.
Ahmed Jabbar Sheikh was born on September 21, 1997, in the Tairawa neighborhood of Erbil city. He is 189 cm tall. Ahmed is a handsome young man with special needs from Erbil who works as a fruit and vegetable vendor in Tairawa market. Alongside this, he pursued his dreams and goals, managing to compete as an athlete with special needs in taekwondo and para-taekwondo. He developed his hidden talents and, in just a few years, became an international athlete. He is now set to represent Iraq in the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Almost ten years of experience as a taekwondo practitioner
Ahmed trained in taekwondo from 2013 to 2023. He claims that in his more than ten years of competing in the over 87 kg weight class for both the Choman and Khabat clubs, he won four taekwondo championships. He placed second at the Erbil level in 2014 and second at the Kurdistan level in 2018. Following medical advice, he withdrew in 2022 after an accident involving a platinum implant. He finally competed in the South Korean Ambassador’s Cup taekwondo tournament in Baghdad in 2023, placing third and taking home the bronze medal.
Ahmed plays for the Ziqar Club para-taekwondo team. He has a one-year contract with the Iraqi para-taekwondo national team. In February 2024, he participated in a 10-day domestic training camp with the Iraqi para-taekwondo team in Baghdad. In February 2024, he participated in a 15-day external training camp with the Iraqi para-taekwondo team in Ahvaz. In February 2024, he participated in the Fajr International Tournament in Tehran with the Iraqi para-taekwondo team, winning a bronze medal for third place. In March 2024, he will participate in a 15-day domestic training camp with the Iraqi para-taekwondo team in Najaf. In March 2024, he participated in the Paris Paralympics qualifying tournament in China with the Iraqi para-taekwondo team. Due to a technical error where his opponent lost consciousness from Ahmed’s strike, Ahmed was given a red card. However, after reviewing the VAR, they found the opponent had no issues and had been acting. The referee then disqualified the opponent as well.
After realizing Ahmed’s high level and that he didn’t deserve the red card, they gave him a chance and awarded him a ticket to the Paris Paralympics. This ticket was reserved for countries whose athletes have achieved high performances and successes in the Paralympics.
What aims and aspirations does he have?
Ahmed assured us that he is very optimistic. He aims to take home a Paralympic medal in para-taekwondo in Paris with the grace of God, the unwavering encouragement and support of Iraqi Para-Taekwondo Federation President Ahmed Sabri, and the rigorous training of seasoned Iranian coach Masoud Mudiri. The Paralympics are slated for August 28, 2024, through September 8, 2024.