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UEL Sports Student Ali Jawad does us proud!

Friday 31 August 2012

UEL sports student Ali Jawad narrowly missed out on winning a medal at the Paralympics, coming fourth in a dramatic Powerlifting Competition at the Excel Centre.

Watched by friends, family, UEL staff and students, Jawad lifted 185kg, narrowly missing out on a medal. With an enthusiastic Team GB crowd spurring him on and terrific home support, there were emotional and tense scenes at the Excel Centre.

Born in Lebanon with no legs, his parents moved to London because they felt he could have a better life in the UK. Jawad has wanted a Paralympic gold medal since he was six-years-old and has been obsessed with sport from an early age.

David Cosford, Director of Sport at UEL watched Jawad’s efforts and has been a driving force behind the support Jawad has received, by helping secure financial support for him through the athlete scholarship scheme and providing him with the means to manage deadlines and exams. 

David says:  “UEL turned out in force to support the amazing talent of Ali Jawad and he certainly did us proud. He is a true elite sportsman and has talent and dedication. I am proud that we have been involved in his development as an athlete and as a student and he is an inspiration to us all.”

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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