Fatimah Al Azzam

Fatima Al Azzam says she is living in the ‘dream’ after taking part in two Paralympic Games and becoming a world champion in table tennis.

Name :	Fatimah Mohammad Suleiman Al Azzam
Age :	34
Sport :	Table Tennis (Paralympics)
Career :	work in Public Security
Place of Residence:	Al Zarqa

1. How did you get into your sport?

I started to play Table Tennis when I was very young. It turned my life upside down and I fell in love with the sport. I joined Al Watani Club in 1982 and started achieving great results to eventually find myself representing Jordan in the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games.

2. What have been your main achievements?

It was when I earned the Gold Medal and became the World Champion in Switzerland 2007. Jordan was the only Arab country to win so I felt that I won for the whole Arab world.


3. How do you think your sport can be improved?

In Paralympics sports we need more special equipment and also more overseas participation to improve.


4. How do you see the future in your sport?

Table tennis has given me everything I have dreamt of and I still feel like I am dreaming. When I quit I will try to pass what I have learned on to young people. I am also looking towards London 2012.


5. How do you spend your time away from sport?

I spend most of my time exercising and make the most of Fridays with my family and my friends.


6. What are your main hobbies / interests?

I like reading about great figures because it inspires me.

7. What ‘saying’ do you believe in...

“There is no despair if still there is a life”


8. Who do you consider as your idol?

My parents, who stand behind me and give me all the support that I need.

9. Who are your favorite overseas and local athletes?

Locally the Paralympic athlete Jameel Al Shebli because we both share the same goals. Internationally I’m inspired by Swiss Tennis star Roger Federer.

10. Which player would you like to play against?

I would like the play against the current world champion ‘Li’.

11. If you could roll back time, would you choose Table Tennis or another sport?

Something attracted me to table tennis and it is a sport I love.

12. What kind of Music do you like and what is your favorite film?

I like romantic music because it moves me to another world! Mother’s Day is the best Movie that I have seen.

13. If you had one wish what would it be?

I want to win gold in London 2012 as it will be my final Olympics.

14. What message or advice would you like to give youngsters coming into sport?

They have to practice hard if they want to win. But first they have to win over their own confidence.

15. What is your Favorite food?

Dawali.

16. If you had five flowers, who would you give them to?

One to my lovely parents. A second for HRH Prince Ra’ed Bin Zied who stands behind our achievements. The third for a person who really plays a significant rule in my life and I’m not going to mention his name! The fourth is to those who manage sport in Jordan and a special Flower is to the Jordanian People.

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