From Dubai to Shanghai,
GOING FOR BEIJING QUALIFICATION
at the end of april, asian rowers got
their chance to increase olympic
qualification numbers by 17 boats.
a record 24 countries stepped up to
the mark in china, at shanghai’s
watersports centre for the asian
olympic Qualification Regatta. lone
athlete from the united arab emirates,
ishan al marzouqi raced as the first ever
uae rower. for ishan he was not only at
his first regatta, but also racing his first
ever 2000-metre race.
The Dubai skyline of high-rise apartments
and silhouettes of construction cranes has
been Ishan’s training backdrop. He has
made Dubai’s marina – a 1,250m stretch of
water – his second home in preparation for
Shanghai.
“It is not ideal,” says Coach Kevin Muller, “when
you’re training to race 2000 metres.” But Ishan
ignores the construction going on around
him to make the most of what he has.
© Kevin Muller
Taking up the sport just seven months ago,
Ishan came to rowing after being introduced
to it while studying in Great Britain. Prior to
this, sport was purely recreational for Ishan,
but the 28-year-old father says that when
he puts his mind to something, he is fully
committed. The Asian Olympic Qualification
regatta became Ishan’s goal.
Ishan landed himself in the biggest race of
the regatta. The men’s single, with >>
