Fayik Abdi, Saudi Arabia’s first Winter Olympian, made his debut at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Yabuli, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Competing once again on Chinese snow, Abdi shared his enthusiasm for the event and the camaraderie it fostered.
In an interview with CGTN Sports Scene’s Greg Laffradi, Abdi reflected on his experience. “It took some time to adjust to Yabuli, but it’s been incredibly enjoyable,” he said. “Having my teammates here makes it even better.”
Joining Abdi were fellow alpine skiers Sharifa Al-Sudairi and Farhoud Joud in the women’s slalom event, along with a team of male curlers competing in Harbin. Their participation highlights the growing interest in winter sports within Saudi Arabia.
With Saudi Arabia set to host the next Asian Winter Games in 2029, Abdi hopes to inspire a new generation. “I want my journey to encourage more people back home to take up winter sports,” he remarked. “It’s about building a future for winter athletics in Saudi Arabia.”
Despite not finishing the men’s slalom competitions in Yabuli, Abdi remains determined. He is focused on earning his spot at next year’s Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. “Every setback is a lesson,” Abdi affirmed. “I’m committed to training harder and doing my best to represent my country on the world stage.”
