Paris Olympics: 29-Year-Old Prodigy Overcomes ‘Loser’ Tag to Become Country’s First Gymnast in Quad Cycle

Isn’t it amazing how a single moment can change the trajectory of one’s life? For Jordanian gymnast Ahmad Abu Al-Soud, that moment was when someone asked him, “How do you want to impact this earth? How do you want to prove your existence? How can you impact the world and affect the people?” That was when he decided that he was “going to make it.” And after a journey that started at the age of four and included almost calling it quits a decade later, it’s led Al-Soud to this: becoming the first gymnast to represent his country at the Olympics.

The 29-year-old pommel horse has seen it all—years of grueling training, moments of doubt, and being labeled a “loser.” But against all odds, he’s persevered and made his dream come true. Al-Soud remembers thinking, “I have to do this; I have to deliver a message to all the children, to everyone, that this day I decided to quit, but after this day, I’m going to make it.” Now, not only is he creating history with his participation in the Paris Olympics, but he is also aiming for gold.

In an interview with The National, Ahmad Abu Al-Soud opened up about how he considered quitting gymnastics nearly a decade ago, thinking he was not good enough. He shared how he “kept doing badly in competitions till 2019… Imagine being in gymnastics for 15 years without medals. It was very difficult to stay.” But just like how chance encounters can change people’s lives – as it did for Al-Soud – so can having a certain amount of belief in oneself. And as little self-belief as he may have had, it helped him persevere. And one thing led to another.

The Jordanian recounted, “When I went to the 2019 Asian Championship, at that time, I knew I was good, but in my brain, I did not know that I can win a gold medal in the Asian Championship.” Considering China and Japan have some of the best gymnasts in the world, there was bound to be some self-doubt, but he overcame it. “When I earned that gold medal, and my coach told me, ‘You’re going to reach the Olympics,’ I laughed. I was like, ‘I’m going to reach the Olympics’. That moment was a turning point for me.”

Fast forward to 2022, and he not only became the first from his country to win a medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships but was also the 2022 Asian champion on the pommel horse, adding to his 2019 glory. At the 2023 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, he opened up about his arduous journey after securing a silver medal on the pommel horse. Speaking to The Sunday Times, he recounted how his coach, Gurgen Sirekanian, guided him to focus on his training, recognizing his tendency to spiral into distraction and feelings of self-doubt.

Reflecting on his struggles, Al-Soud said, “A lot of people said I was a loser, I can’t do it. But I never let that affect me and always took that as a motivation.” With resolute discipline, he achieved a breakthrough with that first gold medal at the 2019 Asian Championships. This victory served as a catalyst, transforming his mindset. “Everything changed, I started to believe in myself.” After enduring this roller coaster ride of challenges and wins, how did he ultimately secure a spot at the Paris Olympics?

Ahmad Abu Al-Soud’s road to the Paris Olympics

The Jordanian’s journey to the Paris Olympics had constant twists and turns, but the champion was steadfast in his pursuit. Along the way, he crossed paths with renowned American champions like Simone Biles, Khoi Young, and Yul Moldauer. Despite becoming the first gymnast from Jordan to win a medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships – securing silver and bronze on the pommel horse in 2022 and 2023, respectively – his Olympic dream faced a setback at the World Championships.

Even though he clinched a bronze medal, his aspirations were dashed due to a lower back injury and the pressure to secure gold for automatic Olympic qualification. Reflecting on this disappointment at the time, Ahmad Abu Al-Soud shared, “I am not feeling really good. I know I can do better. I was going for the gold for the Olympics, but it’s fine. I will fight for it next year in the World Cup. Going to Paris is a dream.” And that’s precisely what he did.

With determination, Ahmad Abu Al-Soud made waves at the 2024 World Cup series. He secured pommel horse gold in Cairo and Doha and silver in Cottbus, securing the top ranking and his ticket to the Olympics. “When I went to Qatar, it was the last World Cup, and it was very hard. All the Olympians and world champions were there because it was the final one,” Abu Al-Soud said. “I knew before the final that I had qualified for the Olympics because I was ranked No.1. And I got into the final on full energy.”

Through meditation and visualization techniques, he meticulously prepared for each event, ensuring he was ready to perform at his best. His perseverance through the years paid off, making him the first Jordanian gymnast to qualify for the Olympic Games, solidifying his place in gymnastics history. Ahmad Abu Al-Soud’s journey epitomizes a lifelong pursuit of passion and resilience, and we applaud his dedication. What are your thoughts on his inspiring story? Comment below!