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Ahmed Shafik (powerlifter)

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American Paralympic powerlifter

Ahmed Shafik
Personal information
Born (1973-11-10) November 10, 1973 (age 51)
Baghdad, Iraq
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Sport
Country United States
SportParalympic powerlifting
DisabilityPolio survivor
Medal record
Paralympic powerlifting
Representing  United States
Parapan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2019 Lima 88kg & 97kg
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Guadalajara Super heavyweight

Ahmed Shafik (born November 10, 1973 in Baghdad, Iraq) is an American Paralympic powerlifter of Iraqi descent, he represented the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics. His father Abdul Shafik is a retired weightlifter who competed for the Iraq national weightlifting team.

Personal life

Shafik was born and brought up in Baghdad. When he was three years old, he developed an ear infection, a high fever and a weakening immune system, the doctor gave him a polio vaccine but it permanently affected the use of his left leg which resulted in muscle atrophy. He wanted to become his father, Abdul Shafik, who was a weightlifter in the Iraq national weightlifting team but due to his Ahmed's disability, he was unable to fulfil his dream of becoming an Olympic weightlifter. At the age of fifteen, Ahmed was introduced to Paralympic powerlifting however the gym where the powerlifters were based was over 50 miles away and Shafik had to endure cycling to and from the gym.

In 1998, Shafik made his debut international appearance at the World Para Powerlifting Championships representing Iraq and finished in fifth place. Even though it was a great result for him, it was not satisfying for the Iraq National Olympic Committee, the powerlifting team including Shafik were put into prison for 14 months under Saddam Hussein's regime whose son Uday Hussein was the ambassador of the country's committee. He sought refuge in the United States in 2001, this opportunity guided him to compete in the United States' Para Powerlifting team. He joined the US Army and was deployed in the Iraq War for two years.

References

  1. "Ahmed Shafik - IPC Athlete Bio". ipc.infostradasports.com. April 10, 2021. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021.
  2. "Ahmed Shafik - Team USA". Team USA. April 10, 2021.
  3. "Para Powerlifter Ahmed Shafik - Army Veteran to Paralympian". BarBend. December 29, 2020.
  4. "Paralympian Ahmed Shafik". KGUN9. October 24, 2019.
  5. "Iraqi-born US Army vet powers through polio at Paralympics". The Times of Israel. September 16, 2016.
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