Palestinian athletes fight through war and ruined grounds to reach Asian Games

Palestinian karate player Mahmoud Daifallah finished fifth in the -67kg kumite event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, narrowly missing out on a bronze medal after a journey shaped by checkpoints, travel limits, and conflict.

The Cost of Conflict

According to a brochure from the Palestine Olympic Committee, 1,014 people involved in sports, including athletes, technical staff, and administrators, have been killed, mostly in the Gaza Strip. The conflict has completely razed 181 sporting facilities and partially damaged 84 others out of 265 total facilities affected, leaving venues like Gaza's Yarmouk Stadium, Palestine Stadium, and Al-Durra Stadium converted into shelters for displaced people.

Travel and Training Hurdles

Daifallah began karate at age eight in Ramallah. Traveling for international events requires him to drive from Ramallah to Jericho, cross checkpoints, transfer luggage, and take a bus to the Jordanian border in Amman to catch a flight. Movement restrictions in the West Bank add further uncertainty, while closed clubs and financial strain prevent parents from sending their children to training.

Stories from the Track

Fellow Palestinian 800-metre runner Mohammad Edweedar missed the Nagoya Games due to injuries linked to poor training and travel conditions. Edweedar has had to train on streets and struggled to get basic equipment like running spikes. After the Hangzhou Games, Edweedar and his teammates were stranded in Jordan for roughly two weeks when the border closed. He also mourns the loss of his coach Bilal Abu Saman and fellow athlete Waseem Abudib in the war.

Context

International sports competitions normally require stable national infrastructure, open borders, and safe local training grounds to prepare elite athletes. The destruction of sports facilities and severe travel blocks in regions like Palestine strip away these basic supports, making simple participation an act of resilience.