Age is just a number as UAE powerlifter Mohammed Khamis Khalaf prepares for fifth Paralympic Games

Emirati is turning 51 this month and is training extra hard for the 2020 Tokyo Games

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  UAE Paralympic powerlifter Mohammed Khamis Khalaf. All images courtesy International Paralympic Committee

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  Mohammed Khamis Khalaf is preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - his fifth Para Games.

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  UAE Paralympic powerlifter Mohammed Khamis Khalaf has already won Olympic gold medals.

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  UAE Paralympic powerlifter Mohammed Khamis Khalaf.

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  Mohammed Khamis Khalaf won para gold in Athens 2004 and Rio 2016.

He might be turning 51 later this month and in the twilight of his career, but that is not going to stop UAE powerlifter Mohammed Khamis Khalaf from preparing for his fifth Paralympic Games.

Khalaf has already won golds at Athens in 2004 and Rio in 2016, and in between, a silver at the 2008 Beijing Games. He is now challenging himself to finish on top at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

“I love challenges, and this is one sport which challenges me, my strength and power,” Khalaf said from his training camp in Thailand.

“I want to fight for gold medal in Tokyo. I have been working hard for this. It will be just so amazing to stand on top of the Paralympics podium and hear the UAE national anthem once again.”

Khalaf has already qualified for the 97kg category with a lift of 220kg at the Nur-Sultan 2019 World Para Powerlifting Championships in Kazakhstan.

He competes next at the IWAS World Games 2020 in Thailand from February 20-28 followed by the Fazza 2020 Para Powerlifting World Cup – April 14-20 – which he believes will be the ideal build-up for Tokyo.

“The preparation of the team for Tokyo 2020 has already begun,” Khalaf said. “Recently, we had a three-week training camp at the Dubai Club for People of Determination.

“I’m currently in Nakhon Ratchasima training for the IWAS World Games 2020, where we will have another training camp before the championships. This will be an important camp in terms of preparation.”

Khalaf is also aiming to qualify for the 88kg category when he competes at the Fazza World Cup.

“In Rio 2016, I won the gold in 88kg,” he pointed out. “So, I will try to qualify in that as well and then, I and my coach (Tito Qassem) will evaluate in which event I have a better chance of winning a medal.”

Khalaf has a strict training programme and has already shed four kilos, keeping his focus on strengthening exercises to stay injury free and strong for the competitions.

“I am 50 years old now and thus the challenge is more for me than my fellow junior powerlifters,” he said of his training.

“I get tired quickly so I have to focus on building my stamina, as well. Also, I need to take extra care of not getting injured during training.

“Having said that, I know one thing that my body might be old but not my mind. And with the right technique and my experience, I believe I can beat the best in the business and defend my Paralympic title."

Khalaf has had quite a few memorable moments but singled out the first gold medal he won at the 2004 Athens Games as his most cherished.

“The first Paralympic medal is always special and thus Athens 2004 will be closest to my heart,” he said.

“That medal changed my life completely, opened several opportunities and made me the person I am today. To be able to repeat that moment in Tokyo 2020 would be a dream come true.

“For me winning for my country, my family and Dubai Club for People of Determination has been the greatest feeling and hope to continue doing it for many years.”