Mariam Bsharat, a 17-year-old karate athlete from Palestine, has made history by winning her second under-21 World Championship gold medal in Poland. Overwhelmed with joy, she expressed her relief at achieving this milestone, stating, “Only I know how many sacrifices I made and how many hardships I needed to overcome.”
Winners often speak of the combined themes of relief, joy, and sacrifice, but for Bsharat, her journey has involved more than just dedication to training. Growing up in the occupied West Bank, she witnessed violence and destruction firsthand, which posed significant challenges for her training. “I faced challenges in transportation and often had to travel to countries like Jordan or Egypt to compete,” she explained. Financial support for athletes like her was also lacking.
Bsharat’s path was further complicated by her initial reluctance towards karate, a sport deeply rooted in her family. “I did not really love it,” she admitted, recalling how her family’s involvement eventually drew her in. Her father and uncle have been key figures in her journey, with her family relocating to Hamburg, Germany, last year for better opportunities.
Despite feeling thankful for her new life in Germany, she misses her homeland. “Being in Palestine was my everyday life, and I loved it there,” she reflected. She feels the weight of responsibility representing her country on the international stage. “There aren’t many elite athletes in Palestine,” she noted, adding that this pressure can be overwhelming at times.
Currently ranked first in the world in her category by the World Karate Federation (WKF), Bsharat’s aspirations remain high, particularly for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. However, karate will not feature in the Paris 2024 Games, creating uncertainty around her Olympic dreams. The WKF has expressed hope for karate’s return in future Olympic events.
Looking ahead, Bsharat aims to continue her success as she transitions to senior competition. “My goal is to be a world champion at seniors,” she said. “Winning an Olympic medal and representing my country with pride would be incredible.”
This interview was conducted by Janek Speight.
