Sheikha Latifa on her 20 years of Asian Games success and new Olympic dream
Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed bin Juma Al Maktoum does not remember the first time she got on a horse. Riding to her is like speaking, or walking – a skill a child picks up without even realising, and just keeps on doing it forever, or for as long as they possibly can. Earlier this month, Sheikha Latifa, riding her bay coat stallion Cornet XL, helped the UAE secure a silver medal in team jumping at…
Sheikha Latifa, an accomplished Emirati equestrian, has achieved significant success in the Asian Games and now dreams of competing in the Olympics. She has won four medals at the Games, including her first at Doha 2006 and her most recent silver medal at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. At 41-years-old, Sheikha Latifa credits her passion, discipline, and skill for her ability to compete at the highest level for so long.
She has ridden three horses to the Asian Games, starting with young horses and building up their abilities over time. The recent Asian Games marked her first podium finish in 20 years since Guangzhou 2010, where she also won medals. Sheikha Latifa recently returned to the World Equestrian Games for the first time since 2010, filling in for a fellow competitor due to injury.
This success has given her the confidence to pursue her dream of qualifying for the Olympics. She is the first Emirati woman to compete in the Olympics, having represented the UAE in showjumping at Beijing 2008.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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