Meet the Emirati girl who won a gold medal against Russian gymnasts

Meet the Emirati girl who won a gold medal against Russian gymnasts

Lamia Tariq Malallah celebrates after winning the gold medal. — Supplied photo

Published: Thu 23 May 2024, 9:10 PM Last updated: Thu 23 May 2024, 10:40 PM

Lamia Tariq Malallah, the only Emirati female rhythmic gymnast in the UAE, is over the moon after producing a gold-medal winning performance in the recent Gymnastika Solo Cup at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai.

The Gymnastika Solo Cup drew some of the best gymnasts from Europe with Russia and Belarus sending their national teams.

It was against such an elite lineup of gymnasts that the 13-year-old Lamia came up with an inspired display to claim the gold medal.

“I am very happy with the gold medal, it means a lot to me because it came in a very tough competition,” Lamia told the Khaleej Times on Thursday.

“It was hard because I was up against gymnasts from the Russian national team, their gymnasts train more than I do. They train 8-9 hours a day, I train only four hours a day.

“And they train every day. They are so strong and so good. But I just remembered that I need to have the belief in myself and do my best. And I am very happy that I was able