BEITUNIA, Palestinian: Every morning, Palestinian boxer Waseem Abu Sal checks his messages from his Cairo-based coach, Ahmad Harara, to receive his daily Olympics training schedule.
Despite the geographic and political barriers that prevent Harara from traveling to the West Bank, Abu Sal remains determined to make history as the first Palestinian boxer to compete in the Olympics.
The 20-year-old secured a wildcard spot for the Paris Games and dreams of delivering the first-ever Olympic medal for the Palestinians.
“This has been my dream since I was 10 years old,” Abu Sal shared with news agency after receiving the invitation. “Every day I went to sleep and woke up thinking about how I could reach the Olympics.”
Abu Sal will face his first Olympic bout on July 28, following an unconventional training regimen with his remote coach. Harara, a 32-year-old from Gaza, is unable to travel to the West Bank due to Israeli restrictions. As a result, Abu Sal’s training is coordinated through daily messages and overseen locally by coach Nader Jayousi.
“I only see him when I travel for international competitions,” Abu Sal explained. “He writes my training schedule every day, and I train in the morning, and again in the evening with coach Nader Jayousi.”
Harara, reflecting on the challenges, said, “Since then, I have been overseeing Wassem’s training remotely due to the occupation barriers between the West Bank and Gaza.”
The Palestine Olympic Committee has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee since 1995, despite Palestine’s lack of statehood. Although Abu Sal did not qualify through the standard rounds, he received a wildcard spot, ensuring Palestine’s representation at the Games.
Training Amid Political and Logistical Challenges
The political realities of the West Bank, characterized by Israeli army checkpoints that restrict movement, present significant obstacles for Abu Sal even before he steps into the ring. At his gym in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Sal trains alongside other young boxers under Jayousi’s supervision.
“It’s a proud moment, not just for me, but for Palestine as the first-ever Palestinian boxer will represent Palestine at the Olympics,” Jayousi expressed. He also highlighted the limitations they face, noting, “We don’t have that big number of very good boxers that I can make Waseem train with. That’s a big challenge for us because iron sharpens iron.”
Impact of the Gaza Conflict
One of the biggest challenges to Abu Sal’s Olympic preparation has been the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Following Hamas’s attack on Israel, which resulted in significant casualties, Israel’s retaliatory offensive has caused extensive loss of life and infrastructure in Gaza. Among the casualties are athletes or relatives of athletes, according to Palestinian officials.
Jayousi detailed the impact on their team, mentioning a coach killed in an airstrike, a boxer who lost an uncle, and another who lost an eye to shrapnel. “This has affected our boxers big time because we were every day getting news about athletes we are losing,” he said.
Overcoming Training and Travel Hurdles
The conflict has exacerbated the already challenging logistics of training in the West Bank. Increased checkpoints, army presence, and settler violence have made traveling between cities more dangerous. Palestinian officials report that at least 553 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli settlers since October 7.
Despite these challenges, Abu Sal remains focused and motivated to “train, eat, and sleep” in preparation for the Olympics. His determination is strengthened by the support of his coaches and the Palestinian community. “It was like life had come back to me,” he said upon receiving his Olympic ticket.
Abu Sal’s usual sparring partner in Ramallah outweighs him significantly, making it difficult to find appropriate training matches. Additionally, a closer match in weight resides in Jerusalem, separated by Israel’s security barrier, complicating regular training sessions.
Traveling abroad for training or competition presents further difficulties, as many countries deny visas to those with Palestinian passports, causing missed tournaments. When Abu Sal departs for Paris, he will travel from Ramallah to Amman, Jordan, by road, as he typically does for international competitions.
Nader Jayousi, head of the Palestinian Olympic delegation, mentors Abu Sal and leads the team of seven athletes representing Palestine in Paris. Despite the immense challenges, Abu Sal’s participation in the Olympics symbolizes hope and resilience for the Palestinian people.
