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Thanks to Ms Lari, the UAE became the first Arab state to join the International Skating Union. Silvia Razgova / The National
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Anna Al Qubaisi became the first Arab woman to participate at the Rotax Max Challenge World Finals in 2017 and the first to win the UAE RMC Championship. Picture: Jorge Ferrari
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Ms Al Qubaisi and YouTuber Sam Fane starred in Etihad Airways' 'Hosting the World' video series. Photo: Etihad Airways
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Ms Al Qubaisi's successes include the 2018 Italian F4 Championship with Prema. Picture: Handout
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She was the first woman to take part in a Formula E test when she drove for the Envision Virgin Racing team in Riyadh. Karma Gurung / The National
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She was the first woman and first Emirati to win the Senior class Rotax Max Challenge. Photo: Abu Dhabi Racing
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One of the most common challenges that annoyed Ms Al Qubaisi was constantly coming up against stereotypes. Photo: Handout
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UAE figure skater Zahra Lari is breaking down barriers to put Emirati women on the sporting map. AP
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When she was 17, she made history by becoming the first figure skater from the UAE to compete in an international competition. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National
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Ms Lari at a training session in 2015. Ravindranath K / The National
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She became the first international competitive Emirati figure skater in 2014, competing at the Dubai Golden Cup. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
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The world’s first figure skater to compete in a hijab, she was also the UAE’s first figure skater to compete in qualification events for the Winter Olympics in 2018. Ravindranath K / The National
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Thanks to Ms Lari, the UAE became the first Arab state to join the International Skating Union. Silvia Razgova / The National
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Anna Al Qubaisi became the first Arab woman to participate at the Rotax Max Challenge World Finals in 2017 and the first to win the UAE RMC Championship. Picture: Jorge Ferrari
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EW6E7LMZEZHPJAJABWWOO54TEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0ea4bf9df2b6e0fb70f763b878e20d0e0db98080e2f348b7fcf114e3aed3bde9&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Qubaisi and YouTuber Sam Fane starred in Etihad Airways' 'Hosting the World' video series. Photo: Etihad Airways
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Ms Al Qubaisi's successes include the 2018 Italian F4 Championship with Prema. Picture: Handout
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She was the first woman to take part in a Formula E test when she drove for the Envision Virgin Racing team in Riyadh. Karma Gurung / The National
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She was the first woman and first Emirati to win the Senior class Rotax Max Challenge. Photo: Abu Dhabi Racing
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One of the most common challenges that annoyed Ms Al Qubaisi was constantly coming up against stereotypes. Photo: Handout
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UAE figure skater Zahra Lari is breaking down barriers to put Emirati women on the sporting map. AP
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When she was 17, she made history by becoming the first figure skater from the UAE to compete in an international competition. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GTGQWIK6GUKFRTP6Q5F76PBGKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=34a9ef61cf295f00e3839ecea2359f3c035e1b0e8e811bbb809c608a60ca6736&width=400&height=225)
Ms Lari at a training session in 2015. Ravindranath K / The National
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She became the first international competitive Emirati figure skater in 2014, competing at the Dubai Golden Cup. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
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The world’s first figure skater to compete in a hijab, she was also the UAE’s first figure skater to compete in qualification events for the Winter Olympics in 2018. Ravindranath K / The National
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Thanks to Ms Lari, the UAE became the first Arab state to join the International Skating Union. Silvia Razgova / The National
Never give up, say trailblazing Emirati women who reached the pinnacle in their sports
Emirati race car driver Amna Al Qubaisi and figure skater Zahra Lari both say that they simply never gave up
Shireena Al Nowais
25 February, 2023
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