Aziza Raji grew up running with her brothers. She became very good at running when she was very young so that she decided to be a professional runner when her brothers refused to race her. 25-year-old Aziza Raji has represented Morocco in running races. She joined the 22^nd Arab Athletics Championships and won a gold medal. Now, she has been getting ready for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

HANAN HARÎT

Morocco - Whenever Aziza Raji goes to a running track for training; she looks at the finish line and begins to run. She runs to overcome all obstacles and pass the athletes. “I was going to school. I was a first-grade student. Actually, I passed a normal childhood like other children. But when I took a deep breath and started running, our difference showed itself. I liked playing games; I always wanted to be a runner because I loved running,” she said.

“Distances were not enough for me”

Aziza Raji talked about her professional sports life, “My father realized my interest in sports and he enrolled me at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco.  I don’t know maybe he realized that I would be a champion. My father always encouraged me. My family put forward this idea. As I received support, my goals increased. I improved myself in time and then I realized that distances were not enough for me. I wanted to run without stopping.”

She wins many medals

In 2015, Aziza Raji joined a running team. She represented her country in the African Championships in Athletics organized in South Africa. Aziza Raji broke 27-year-old record after she broke the 100m hurdles record at the African Championships in Athletics. She managed to become the fastest runner in Moroccan history. Aziza Raji took a gold medal by winning the 100m race in 11.63 seconds at 2017 Arab Athletics Championships. She also took a gold medal by winning the 400m at 2019 World Athletics Championships. She won a gold medal by winning the 400m at the 22^nd Arab Athletics Championships organized on June 20.

“I am ambitious about being an educated athlete”

Aziza Raji has also an academic career in sports. She is a sports coach and she has a master’s degree in sports management. “I have always preferred to take my education and sports together. I am ambitious about being an educated athlete,” Aziza Raji said, “A woman can definitely prove herself in a male-dominated system; she can overcome difficulties she faces. But first, she should want this.”

Dreaming finish line motivates her

“I feel very nervous when I am about to participate in international sports forums, surely I trust myself but I don’t know how to express my feelings. I feel joy and anxiety together. I dream of the finish line in my mind and my victory. This motivates me,” she said.

“Women should challenge social mores”

Noting that Moroccan women are ambitious and stubborn, Aziza Raji said, “Women should challenge social mores that prevent them from achieving their own goals.” Aziza Raji told us that she will join the 2024 Summer Olympics.