Disabilities are classified into three types: physical, intellectual and blindness. “We had the idea of a tournament for the disabled two years ago,” Mohamed Ramadan, head of the Egyptian Karate Federation disabilities committee, said. “In just one year we built a national team that came first in the 2014 World Championship in Bremen in Germany.” The team included Salma Alaa, Mowafaq Mohamed, Sherif Talaat, Ahmed Adel and Sabri Attia. Hisham Mansi, the Egyptian national team coach for the disabled, said five of those players are among the top eight in the world, “an honour in itself. Such players are full of enthusiasm and are willing to learn and exert effort to win”. A world champion himself, Mansi decided to train the disabled to lend them his vast experience. “They deserve it and more.” According to Mansi, it took him time to learn how to train the athletes, “especially those who are blind because they are unable to see you while performing the kata. But I have learned that they can learn to work from a fixed point so I started to train them according to 180 and 360 degree angles and by using their shoulders.” Physically disabled athletes are allowed to use wheelchairs while performing kata on the court, moving right and left and using only their hands. Haggar Adel, a blind kata player from Fayoum who is competing under 14, said she was happy to win the gold medal. “I think I can join the national team and prepare for the World Championship next year in Bremen. At last we were given a chance to play our favourite sport, karate, and to compete against others. I am very happy with my achievement.” At the championship, Mohielddin Ahmed, the Egyptian Karate Federation vice president, awarded the winners certificates and medals.
