26-year-old Emirati Amna Al Haddad is no ordinary girl—she is a Hijabi weightlifter, smashing stereotypes and inspiring women around her.
A journalist turned weightlifter, Amna has won nine medals in International Weightlifting Federation competitions, first women Arab cross fitter, motivational speaker and most importantly as her bio datasays, she ‘breaks barriers’.
She made history by being the first Emirati and GCC national to compete in the Asia Regionals and the first and only Muslim woman to do so in a headscarf.
Amna has again created history as sportswear giant Nike featured her in their ‘Inner Strength’ documentary series.
‘Inner Strength’ is a documentary series that captures the inspiration and motivation that drive Nike athletes.
The weightlifter says, “This is an important moment in history, not for me, but for women empowerment worldwide. Why? To be an athlete from the Middle East, and from the UAE, to be chosen to be featured in Nike recent “inner strength” documentary series as the first woman says a lot about the brand as well as the progress of our country. It is an honor and a big role for me that I am proud of and feel deeply grateful and positive!”
It is interesting to note how In the documentary she talks about training as both a female, and a covered Muslim athlete. She describes her journey and how what she does not only shatters stereotypes, but impacts the lives of other young women like her.
“You can do whatever you want. Be who you want to be. The most important thing to do is take action. I was not given the tools, nor the circumstances; I just created it and I made it happen.”
Amna stands for those women who do not give tradition away nor the challenges of time. They venture forth with tradition and courageously conquer their challenges beautifully to show the world that once tradition can still not be discarded tin order to advance ahead and make a niche for oneself.