Mai Al-Sayed Al-Dhahi..the Egyptian champion with Down syndrome

Mai Sayed Al-Dhahi, 28 years old, is the champion of the Egyptian national team in bocce. She plays running, javelin, shot put, and bocce. The first heroine, supporter and companion in Mai’s journey is her mother, Mrs. Aziza Abdel-Ghani. Mai is her fifth daughter. when Mai was born and the doctor told the family that she had Down syndrome, the mother started searching and asking doctors to find out more about that syndrome. Soon, the family began to rehabilitate Mai and prepare her in terms of communication, physical therapy, and self-reliance. The family treated her just like the rest of her siblings. They presented to her in many socially and academically specialized centers.

Mai accompanied her sister, Waad, who is two years younger than her, who was training in the club, and began training with her in athletics. A team for people with special abilities was established at Tanta Sports Club in 2013 which Mai joined and got qualified for the athletics championships for athletics, running, spear and shotgun at the republic level and won the first place in bocce. She was chosen to travel to the Emirates and became the champion of the Egyptian national team in bocce.

Mai won the gold medal in the Republic championship in shot put in 2014 and won the gold medal in bocce at the level of the Republic in 2018, she also won silver and bronze medals in javelin and shot put. Mai was the first champion with special needs of Tanta Club to get qualified for the Arab Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Mrs. Aziza, Mai’s mother, says: Mai is the light of our lives that enlightens our world and I am proud of her everywhere I go” Mai is an inspiring example of determination and challenge that Al-Folk project is proud of.