In Gaza, where Israel carried out attacks to destroy everything related to life for 2 years, 894 Palestinian athletes lost their lives and 292 sports facilities, stadiums and gyms became unusable.
Young boxer Saud migrated from Al-Burayj Refugee Camp after the attacks started and took shelter in a school belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Nusayrat. Saud lost one of his eyes in the attack on the school where he took refuge.
HE LOST HIS SIGHT WHILE PREPARING FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP
This attack changed the life of Saud, who has been interested in boxing since the age of 12 and represented Palestine and won medals in many local and international tournaments. However, Saud still continues to train to realize his dreams with an invincible will.
Saud, who said that he was the champion at 54 and 57 kilos in local tournaments, stated that he could not get a medal from the Asian Championship held in Jordan in 2022, but he continued to work after returning home and started to prepare for the championship in Kazakhstan.
Explaining that the war broke out while the preparations were continuing and the forced migration process began with the war, Saud stated that he lost his sight with the shrapnel that hit his eye in the attack targeting the school where they took shelter in Nusayrat, and that his treatment was not possible in Gaza.
BOXING TAUGHT HIM NOT TO BE DEFEATED
Saud explained that while he was an athlete who won championships before the war, his performance decreased over time after the attack. He stated that while he used to be able to play 10 rounds in training, now he started to get tired in 2 rounds.
Explaining that he had just finished high school, Saud said that if he was lucky and could get out of Gaza, he wanted to get treatment first.
Noting that he was affected by the slightest wind and cold weather and could not leave the house, Saud stated that he would pursue his dreams despite everything with the following words:
“Boxing taught me not to be defeated and not to give up despite the things I have experienced. I have lost a lot in my life, but I cannot lose my dream. I will play until my last breath. I still have dreams that I want to realize. We need to raise the Palestinian flag on international platforms.”
Stating that Gaza has produced champions in basketball, football and boxing, Saud said, “Some lost their arms, some lost their legs and some lost their eyes in the Israeli attacks. But no matter what, we learned not to be defeated and to follow our dreams.” he said.