Fatima Kalawadh made Bahraini sporting history at the 4th GCC games with a landmark taekwondo gold, inspiring young girls nationwide through discipline, courage and a refusal to give up.
Firstly, congratulations on making history. How does it feel to become the first Bahraini woman to win a gold medal in taekwondo for Bahrain?
It is an incredible honour, and something I will always be proud of. Winning Bahrain’s first women’s gold medal in the 49kg category was not just a personal achievement, it became a moment in Bahrain’s sporting history, and that is something I will always cherish.
This achievement represents a journey that began when I was just nine years old at Almuhtarif Taekwondo Club. Looking back, it is amazing to see how far that little girl has come.
When I realised I had won, my first thoughts were about everyone who had been part of the journey: my coaches, my teammates, my family and everyone who believed in me along the way. The medal represents years of discipline, sacrifices, setbacks and lessons that led to that moment.
Standing on that podium reminded me that hard work truly pays off, and I hope this achievement encourages more girls to believe they can make history too.
Looking back on your journey, what have been the biggest challenges you have faced, and what kept you motivated to reach this moment?
I think the biggest challenge has been learning that this journey is truly ‘you versus you’.
People see the competitions and medals, but they do not always see the discipline behind them, showing up when you are tired, staying consistent, balancing a full-time career, recovering from injuries and continuing even when things do not go your way.
Success can sometimes feel like a lonely journey. Even though you are surrounded by coaches, teammates and people who support you, there are moments only you can face. Those quiet moments, when no one is watching and you still choose to keep showing up, are what truly shape you.
I recently dealt with an ankle injury, and moments like that test you mentally just as much as physically. That is when you discover who you really are. You learn to reset, adapt and keep moving forward.
Our club, Almuhtarif, has a motto that has stayed with me throughout my journey: “Never Give Up.” It is a simple phrase, but it carries a powerful meaning. It reminds me that setbacks are not the end, they are part of the process, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow.
Who has had the greatest influence on your career, both inside and outside the sport?
My journey has never been the journey of one person. Behind every medal is a team of people who believed in me long before anyone knew my name.
My mother encouraged me and my siblings to live an active lifestyle and explore different sports from a young age. Her encouragement is the reason I discovered taekwondo in the first place. I began my taekwondo journey at Almuhtarif when I was nine years old, and from that very first day, my coaches became an important part of my growth, not only as an athlete, but as a person. They believed in me, challenged me and constantly pushed me to become better.
I especially want to thank my Grandmaster, Abdulhameed, who encouraged me to step into competition when I did not yet believe I was ready. He saw potential in me before I could see it in myself and never let me settle for less than I was capable of.
Alongside him, his sons, my coaches, have been there every step of the way. The training programme, the values they instil in us and the environment they have built at Almuhtarif have shaped both my performance and my mindset. Everything I have achieved reflects years of teamwork, trust and guidance, and I am incredibly grateful for all of them.
Today, it feels very special to have come full circle. I started as a nine-year-old student at Almuhtarif, and now I have the privilege of coaching the next generation of girls at the very same club that helped shape me.
What message would you like to share with young girls across Bahrain who dream of following in your footsteps?
My advice is simple: Do it scared.
Fear is completely normal. Every successful person has felt it. The difference is whether you let fear stop you or whether you choose to move forward anyway.
Some of my biggest achievements happened while I was scared. I competed scared. I travelled scared. I accepted opportunities scared.
Taekwondo gave me something much bigger than medals, it gave me confidence. It taught me to trust myself and what I am capable of, and I believe that is one of the greatest gifts taekwondo and sport can give young girls.
That is one of the reasons I started coaching young girls at Almuhtarif. I want them to experience what taekwondo gave me: confidence, discipline, resilience, self-respect and the courage to believe in themselves.
You do not have to be perfect before you begin, you just have to start. You are capable of far more than you think.
Now that you have reached this historic milestone, what are your next goals?
My goal is to continue competing internationally, gaining experience and improving step by step.
One of my biggest events this year is the Asian Championships in Japan this October. Earlier this year, in May, I travelled to Mongolia to compete in the qualification tournament, and thankfully I qualified. I am excited to represent Bahrain at the main championship in Japan this year, and it is a challenge I am really looking forward to.
In between, I will continue competing in international tournaments to maintain my level, gain more experience and keep developing as an athlete.
Like every athlete, reaching the Olympic Games is a dream, but I believe big dreams are built through consistency and by focusing on the present moment.
Taekwondo has taught me that growth only happens when you are willing to step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself. So for now, my focus is simple: keep learning, keep improving and keep believing that bigger things are possible.
Away from competition, how do you balance the demands of elite sport with your personal life?
Outside of taekwondo, I am an architect, and balancing both careers has taught me the importance of discipline, organisation and making the most of my time.
I genuinely believe that when you love something, you will always find time for it. Architecture is my profession, taekwondo is my passion, and I value both equally.
What keeps me grounded is my family, my coaches, my teammates and the values that taekwondo has taught me over the years. They remind me that while achievements are important, the person you become throughout the journey matters even more.
I also believe everyone should have something they do purely for themselves, whether it is sport, art, music or any passion that helps them grow beyond work. Those passions build resilience, balance and perspective, and ultimately make us better in every aspect of life.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, my coaches, my teammates and everyone at Almuhtarif who has believed in me from the very beginning.
This medal may have my name on it, but it represents years of teamwork, guidance and unwavering support from people who helped shape me into the athlete and person I am today.
If there is one thing I hope people take away from my story, it is that success is not about never failing. It is about having the courage to keep getting back up. Every setback carries a lesson, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow if you are willing to keep moving forward.
Taekwondo did not just make me a stronger athlete, it made me a stronger woman. If my journey encourages even one young girl to believe in herself and take that first step, then that is a victory that goes far beyond any medal.
