UAE shooter Saif Al Nuaimi takes aim at medals on third visit to Paralympic Games

Emirati improved his results in the past two Games and believes he is ready to challenge the podium in Paris

Saif Al Nuaimi of the UAE at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Reuters

After making clear progress at Tokyo 2020 following his Paralympics debut five years earlier, UAE shooter Saif Al Nuaimi has reason to be confident of his medal chances in Paris.

Al Nuaimi finished 14th in the qualifying rounds of the R3 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 and 25th in the R6 Mixed 50m Rifle Prone SH1 in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. He came even closer in Tokyo in 2021, qualifying for the finals to finish sixth in the R6 Mixed 50m Rifle, while placing 25th again in the qualifying phase in the Mixed 10m Air Rifle.

“Going to Paris, I feel I’m at my best, and like everyone believes, I’m hopeful to be third time lucky,” Al Nuaimi told The National during a meet-and-greet event in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

“Actually, this should be my fourth Paralympic Games but after qualifying for London 2012, I couldn’t participate in that event because of personal issues. Since then, I have progressed and am well-prepared heading to Paris.”

Al Nuaimi booked his passage to Paris after placing fifth at the 2022 World Cup in Korea and will take aim at another shot at the 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle competitions.

The Al Ain resident, who works in administration at the Department of Immigration, has pursued shooting for 18 years full time.

“It was a hobby at the beginning and around 2006, I started to take it more seriously. I thought I had some potential. I spent most of my free time to train and the results got me into the UAE Paralympic team,” Al Nuaimi said.

“I have been getting good scores consistently in recent times and I feel I’m peaking at the right time. I just hope I can keep this momentum going until Paris. My mind, thoughts and focus are always on the shooting range. I’m obsessed with it.

“I am also really honoured to represent the country. Now I spend five hours a day in training and enjoying every moment. Hopefully, this may be my best Paralympic Games, and I’m very excited.”

Al Nuaimi is aiming to emulate the success of Abdullah Sultan Al Aryani, the most successful Emirati Paralympian of all time with two golds and three silvers. Al Aryani will be aiming to add to his collection in Paris.

“I train with him in Al Ain and have travelled with him to many competitions here and abroad,” Al Nuaimi said. “I try to be like him and follow him closely on his advice and mentoring. He has played a massive part in my progress and to where I have reached now. He will be by my side in Paris, encouraging and motivating me.”

The Paralympic shooting team attended camps in Switzerland and Germany last month and according to Al Nuaimi, are ready to fire for the medals.

Al Aryani heads the five-member shooting team that includes Al Nuaimi and Obaid Al Dahmani, who competed in both London and Rio before missing out on Tokyo. Joining them are the female shooters Ayesha Al Shamsi and Ayesha Al Mehairi, who was the first Emirati woman to qualify for the Paralympics in Tokyo.

For Al Aryani, Paris will be his fifth Paralympic Games after his debut at Beijing 2008. He struck gold in the R6 Mixed 50m Rifle in London and followed up with three silvers in Rio and a gold in Tokyo.

“Obviously we are expecting him to add to his Paralympic medals tally and also to play a huge role for the rest of us to reach the medal rounds,” Al Nuaimi said.

“The team has done all that was needed and we are ready to bring a few medals back home, Insha Allah. My sincere thanks and gratitude to our federation, families, fans and everyone that has contributed in our journey to bring honour and glory to the UAE.”