It is incredible how, in an instant, one’s life can change forever. That was the case for 18-year-old Palestinian karate champion Mais Elbostami. She was an elated athlete who was proud to have won a medal in her sport back on October 6, only to find that moment washed away.
One Moment A Medal, The Next A Genocide
Before she could even celebrate her big win, she had no idea that her beloved Gaza was literally on the cusp of a deadly genocide. The day after her win, reality sunk in as Gaza entered into the first day of its current 9-month genocide.
The unprecedented attack placed her and her family in immense danger, forcing them to flee their home in northern Gaza and head to the south. In just the first 10 days, Elbostami faced the tragic news that her coach, Jamal El Khairy, and his granddaughter had died from the attacks.
Her Escape To Egypt
Faced with death at every turn, and with Elbostami describing the experience as “every hour that passed felt like it aged you by a year,” the family had no choice but to flee from Gaza. In April, they made their way to Egypt.
Re-Entering The World Of Karate
For some time now, Elbostami and her family have begun to plant tiny roots in Egypt within their new home in Cairo. She wanted to feel some semblance of normalcy, so she went back to pursuing her passion for karate.
Her Palestinian national team coach put her in touch with Egypt’s national karate team, which is what brought her back to the sport. “My coaches here in Egypt have practically adopted me, and they’re working with me so I can get good enough to compete in the next championships,” she said.
Now, every chance she gets, she would train. Her persistence and love for the sport gave her the drive to figure out ways to train, even with the obstacle of not having access to training facilities. She’d train in the streets and gardens around her house, wherever she could stretch out her mat.
The sport is not just her passion but her tool to “escape from reality,” as karate helps her to detach by instead directing her energy toward practicing self-control and discipline.
As she continues to pursue her passion, the athlete has big plans for the future, including her participation in Egypt’s national championships in August.