DUBAI // Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid has continued her preparation for the Olympics with an intensive training camp at one of China's most famous schools for taekwondo. Sheikha Maitha will be competing in the 67kg taekwondo competition in Beijing and has high hopes of winning a medal when the competition starts on August 20. The 2006 Asian Games karate silver medallist is leaving no stone unturned as she chases her dream of winning an Olympic medal and bringing glory to the country.
After training with the Moroccan team here earlier this month, Sheikha Maitha flew straight out to Beijing to begin the first phase of her final preparation for the Olympics, where she will carry the UAE flag at the opening ceremony on August 8. Sheikha Maitha trained at the famous Cha Chi Hai School of Sport in Beijing under the watchful eyes of her technical manager Samir Jumaa, the new coach Ziad Hammad and the administrative delegate Issa Saif.
The Cha Chi Hai School is one of the oldest and the best known training centres for taekwondo in China and has produced many heroes who have won the world championships and Olympic titles. The school has also been chosen by the World Taekwondo Federation for a refresher course for the referees officiating at the Olympics. Luo Wei, the women's 67kg gold medal winner at the Athens Olympics and the 72kg world champion in 2007, was present at the camp to help Sheikha Maitha prepare.
The first phase of the programme included two training sessions in the morning and evening, with the focus on fitness and brushing up of her tactical skills. Sheikha Maitha also took part in friendly bouts. @Email:arizvi@thenational.ae
