Dubai: Lamia Tariq Al Farsi claimed the gold at the First Emirates Cup for Rhythmic Gymnastics held at the Al Habtoor Tennis Academy and then turned her attention to the international arena.
Representing the Dubai Youth Olympic School School Rhythmic Gym, Lamia scored 10.200 points to top Category ‘C’ at the inaugural edition of the Emirates Cup for Rhythmic Gymnastics held at the Al Habtoor Tennis Academy.
Angela Scudella representing the UAE was placed second along with Myroslava Merkulina of Ukraine followed by Vasylysa Kozak, also from the Ukraine with 9.100 points and Zlata Grygorchuk.
“This is such a great moment in my life as a gymnast. I have won a gold medal and now it is time for me to take the next step and go out into the international arena,” Lamia told Gulf News.
“My aim is always to win gold. Our great leader His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has set an example for us, and I want to follow his footsteps and make my country proud all the time,” she added.
Lamia is scheduled to participate in the Open Group Azur Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships to be held at La Colle Sur Loupe in France on July 1-2. The championships will be followed by a special training camp from July 3-10.
“I am quite excited with travelling to France for my first real competition. I am getting prepared for it and if I win the gold medal then I surely want to meet Shaikh Mohammad after I return,” she said.
Lamia’s dad Tariq, a former footballer with Al Ahli was thrilled with the gold medal. “She deserved this medal in appreciation of all the hard work she has put in. It has been a tough few months, and I am glad she could close it off with a gold,” he said.
Her mother Malak praised the dedication put in by her young daughter. “She has sacrificed her childhood literally. She has no time to play or spend with her sister, but now that she has won gold she can look forward to some time for herself,” Malak said.
Organised by Brands & Trends and the Dubai Youth Olympic School School Rhythmic Gym, the competition has been endorsed by the General Authority and Youth and Sports Welfare (GAYSW) and Dubai Sports Council (DSC).
The competition attracted entries from Canada, Australia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Slovakia, Egypt, Kuwait and Qatar in all categories.
