Emirati rock climber focuses on endurance and cardio during indoor Ramadan climbs

Hamad Sajwani tried several new sports as a child, including a spell with the Al Wasl football youth teams, but it was not until he attended college when he discovered his passion for rock climbing, writes Maryam Al Shamsi.

Emirati Hamad Sajwani says fasting during the holy month of Ramadan does not effect his training in Dubai. (Antonie Robertson/The National)

DUBAI // Hamad Sajwani’s father encouraged his children to participate in sport. His eldest son, Hamad, tried several as a child, including the Al Wasl football youth teams.

But it was not until he travelled to the United States that he found his sporting passion: rock climbing.

“Initially, when I tried it I hated it,” he said. “I was out of shape, I didn’t do well and the course was more technical than actual climbing.

“Later, I liked it when we starting going outdoors.

“Though, initially, I liked it for the social atmosphere more than the sport itself.”

He was attending the University of North Carolina and he took up rock climbing in his final semester in 2008.

After returning to the UAE, with the climbing gear he had purchased, he took up wall climbing. “The only climbing climate that I knew of was in Wafi Centre in Dubai, so I used to go there,” he said. “I used to encourage my Emirati friends to try it out.”

Eventually, he learnt through a Dubai-based climber named Michael Olver, an American, that the UAE had outdoor rock climbing in Ras Al Khaimah.

“He took me under his wing and took me to the mountains to climb,” Hamad said. “I managed to prove myself.

“When I started climbing everyone was afraid and they were worried that I am Emirati and they say. ‘Don’t let him fall and get hurt and get in trouble.’ That sort of thing.”

He became a member of the rock-climbing community and his passion for the sport has grown.

Hamad will climb during Ramadan, with a slight alteration.

“I feel that fasting does not stop me from training,” he said. “In fact, I focus on other things such as endurance and cardio, also to focus on the neurone system.

“The only difference during my regular schedule and in Ramadan is I do not climb outdoors, only indoors.

“My plans after Ramadan, I will definitely go back to outdoor climbing.”

He said he usually climbs limestone, the rock that makes up most mountains in the UAE.

“There are three types of mountains: sandstone, limestone and granite, but I usually climb limestone, which is the hardest, in Dibba.”

His favourite place to climb is near the village of Siurana, in Spain, not far from Barcelona. He said the landscape is beautiful.

He said he hopes to continue to improve his climbing skills.

“My aim is to climb the hardest route,” he said. “I do not know which is the hardest grading system, however, it’s different with various countries.”

Hamad said he gains inspiration from Chris Sharma, an American climber considered one of the best in the world.

“He enjoys climbing and he is having fun and I am doing the same.”

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