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Biography:
Sheikha Asma Al Thani is a Qatari mountaineer and a member of the ruling family of Qatar. She has made remarkable achievements in the world of mountaineering, becoming the first Qatari woman to summit Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, and Manaslu. She has also climbed Ama Dablam and became the first Qatari person to ski to the North Pole. Asma Al Thani is known for her determination, resilience, and breaking barriers.
In 2013, Asma Al Thani came across a bucket list she had written several years earlier, which included the goal of climbing a mountain. Inspired by this rediscovery, she began her training, and in 2014, she was part of a group of climbers who were the first Qatari women to successfully summit Mount Kilimanjaro. This marked the beginning of her mountaineering journey.
In 2018, Asma Al Thani accomplished another groundbreaking feat by becoming the first Qatari person to ski to the North Pole. She planted her country’s flag at the North Pole, symbolizing her triumph and representing Qatar’s spirit of adventure. This achievement was part of an all-female Euro-Arabian Polar expedition, led by Felicity Aston, the first woman to travel unaided across the Antarctic mainland. As a testament to her accomplishments, Asma Al Thani was recognized as Woman of the Year by Grazia magazine, published in Qatar.
Continuing her pursuit of challenging summits, Asma Al Thani reached new heights in 2019 when she became the first Qatari woman to summit Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America. Her determination and resilience were evident as she conquered this formidable mountain, showcasing her indomitable spirit.
In 2021, Asma Al Thani added another milestone to her list of achievements by becoming the first Qatari woman to summit Ama Dablam. This remarkable climb was followed by successful summits of Mount Elbrus in Russia and Dhaulagiri and Manaslu, two of the highest mountains in Nepal. Notably, her ascent of Manaslu without the use of supplemental oxygen made her the first Arab person to summit an eight-thousander without oxygen.
Asma Al Thani’s climbing endeavors continued in 2022, as she scaled Mount Vinson in January. She then made history by becoming the first Arabic person to climb Mount Kangchenjunga in May, followed by her awe-inspiring summit of Mount Everest on May 27. During the Everest expedition, Asma Al Thani and her team carried a football created by Adidas for the FIFA World Cup Qatar to the summit. The football, named ‘Al Rihla,’ meaning ‘the journey,’ was the official ball for the World Cup, symbolizing the unity of sports and mountaineering.
The achievements of Asma Al Thani did not stop there as she reached the summit of Mount Lhotse on May 28 and K2 in July, adding to her impressive list of conquered peaks. Her mountaineering journey also included scaling Denali, the highest peak in North America, on June 17.
Apart from her mountaineering accomplishments, Asma Al Thani is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC). Through her role, she contributes to promoting and supporting sports in Qatar, further exhibiting her dedication to ensuring athletes have the best opportunities to excel.
Asma Al Thani’s mountaineering achievements have made her an inspiration to people worldwide, especially to women and girls in Qatar. She has proven that with determination and perseverance, boundaries can be shattered, and dreams can be realized. Her unwavering spirit continues to inspire generations to challenge themselves, push their limits, and strive for greatness.
Awards:
– Woman of the Year by Grazia magazine (2018)