Caroline Maher, 26years old, is the first Egyptian, Arab and African female to be inducted in the 2013 Hall of Fame, the most prestigious event for martial art athletes worldwide. The event took place in the US this year. “I am really glad with that honour and I thank all my coaches and officials who led me all the way to the Hall of Fame. I also thank my parents and also my friends for their continuous support,” Maher told Al-Ahram Weekly. Maher was honoured for a distinguished career record which includes winning 110 medals and cups in regional, Arab, African, international World Cups and Francophone Games. Her latest achievement was winning a bronze medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Indonesia last month. “I could have played for the gold but I had a fever of 40 degrees and the doctor prevented me from playing for fear of any complications.” Maher reached the peak of her career when she was ranked third in the world in 2009 in the flyweight category. But because of changing the weight category from fly to bantam and then feather, Maher dropped to 25th. Two years ago, Maher became famous for something much different: the first female athlete ever to win a case against the World Taekwondo Federation. The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) ordered the highest compensation in the history of sports -- $20,000. Maher received a positive sample for steroids and was thus suspended. She pleaded to the World Taekwondo Federation that it was a wrong sample. However, the WTF insisted on the ban so she took the case to the CAS which ruled in her favour. Maher, who graduated from AUC with an honours degree, has always been ambitious, on and off the mat. Her proposal of starting a para-taekwondo national team for Egypt has been approved by the federation and will start implementation soon. The Outstanding Taekwondo Player Award, which Maher has won, recognises the male or female athlete who has shown extraordinary talent and achievement throughout his or her career and who reflects the values and philosophies of the sport. This award also distinguishes the athlete who has demonstrated a positive image as an athlete and has been a good ambassador for the sport. Any individual associated with the US taekwondo movement may be nominated. According to Maher, nominees are required to meet the following criteria: has competed in an Olympic Games or World Championship at least five years prior to the recognition ceremony (for clarification, athletes who last competed in the 2000 Olympic Games or 2003 World Championships are eligible to be recognized in 2009); demonstrates respect for officials, opponents and parents; and espouses a philosophy of fair play. The athlete's level of achievement at an Olympics or World Championship will be considered but is not the final determining factor of this award. The Taekwondo Hall of Fame (TKDHOF) is an international organisation of technical advisors who are themselves members of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), World Taekwondo Alliance (WTA), and other major taekwondo entities. The technical advisors are responsible for identifying, recognising and honouring persons and groups who have significantly contributed to the development, growth and advancement of taekwondo as a martial art and a global sport. The Hall of Fame is usually the highest honour in sports and is awarded to players in their respective sports for their outstanding world achievements, particularly on the basis of their performance at the international level. The Taekwondo Hall of Fame is the only one recognised by all major organisations of the sport. Its technical advisors are senior members of the ITF and the WTF. The US Taekwondo Museum and Hall of Fame are committed to educating all visitors in philosophy, principle and practice of taekwondo; working in association with the USA Taekwondo Grandmasters Society in researching both ancient and US histories of Taekwondo; using interactive displays, videos, live demonstrations, and tour guides to create for visitors a positive experience and better understanding of the true spirit of taekwondo; creating the Hall of Fame which will celebrate the individuals whose contributions and personal achievements have furthered enhanced the taekwondo in the US; and demonstrating the intrinsic values of studying taekwondo for people of all ages, particularly for children and young adults.
