NERMIN TARIQ

Cairo - Egyptian karateka Feryal Abdelaziz is getting ready for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics these days. We could talk to her during her training. She has represented her country since 2018 and won many medals until now.

Feryal Abdelaziz has done sports since the age of 7 and she loves being involved in sports. She told us she prefers to live as if she is in sports competitions. She has achieved many national and international successes throughout her sports life.

How did she start doing sports? Why did she decide to be a karateka? She answered these questions for our news agency. Feryal Abdelaziz started doing sports by chance when she was seven years old but she never thought she would win medals.

“After I started going to a sports club, I joined the Egyptian Championships and now I am representing Egypt at the international championships.”

She qualified for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Feryal Abdelaziz qualified to compete at 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Her aim is to “be an Olympic medalist for Egypt.” She expects other Egyptian karate athletes participating in the Olympics to win more than one medal, “Because Egypt is one of the best countries in karate competitions and we have many karate athletes who have achieved international success like Gianna Farouk.”

Talking about financial difficulties they have faced, Feryal Abdelaziz said, “Sponsors can be found so that karate athletes can proudly represent Egypt at international tournaments. And I hope we can find sponsors interested in karate after being success recent years and the sponsors can create resources for those who want to be professional in karate.”

We asked her if the status of karate would change in Egypt after the Olympics. She answered our question, “Karate is a sport widely practiced in sports clubs and youth centers in Egypt, and has become more popular after the participation of Egypt in Olympic Games. I am happy to see this. I expect more interest in karate when we win Olympic medals.”

“Karate doesn’t diminish my femininity”

Feryal criticizes the people who think martial arts are not designed for women. She believes that karate has a philosophy and it is for self-defense. “While karate looks like other sports, it is actually different from other sports. Yes, karate is a sport and martial art. Women who do sports and martial arts do not beat people in the streets. We know the difference between sport and our lives. Karate is not a sport producing aggression or having a negative reflection in daily life.”

She also studies pharmacy

Faryal Abdelaziz never gives up even if she was beaten in Paris. She is not only interested in sport but also pharmacy. She studies pharmacy. “My teachers understand me but I am good at organizing my time. Karate helps me get rid of all my negative energy. I have studied pharmacy for five years and I will graduate soon.”