Fresh from his historic participation in the World Professional Yo-Yo Championship 2023 in Osaka, Japan, Hamad al-Mansouri is already setting his sights on the next challenge.Despite not advancing past the qualifiers, al-Mansouri's determination and enthusiasm remain unwavering as he looks ahead to the 2024 World Yo-Yo Championship scheduled to take place in Cleveland, Ohio, USA next year."Sadly I couldn't pass the qualifiers round with a ranking of 36 in the first division and 10th in the 4th style,” he told Gulf Times, reflecting on his experience.The Qatari yo-yo player noted that the journey was not without its challenges, with an unforeseen knee injury, the elevated difficulty level of this year's championship, and the pressures of being a first-time competitor all playing a part.However, al-Mansouri said he plans to use his current experience as a stepping stone for improvement. "I would like to add that I am preparing from now for a return next year where the tournament happens in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, and correct every mistake that I made,” he said, demonstrating his commitment to growth and learning from his past performance.He said the World Professional Yo-Yo Championship 2023 was a melting pot of adrenaline and excitement for him, recounting the exhilaration of mingling with international friends, fellow players, yo-yo legends, and event organisers within the growing yo-yo community."Legends, idols, heroes, brothers, role models, friends, teammates, best friends and influencers. Meeting them for the first time was magical,” he posted on his Instagram page (@wav6) Sunday.Al-Mansouri said he was grateful for being a part of this vibrant network and urged yo-yo enthusiasts in Qatar to actively showcase their culture and personalities within the community."My message to yo-yo enthusiasts in Qatar is they definitely need to show their great culture and personalities more often to the yo-yo community since it’s welcoming to everyone and to join the next big events like the World Yo-Yo Championship happening on July 31, 2024, in Cleveland,” he said.Al-Mansouri's participation in the World Professional Yo-Yo Championship 2023 is a historic achievement that not only showcases his dedication but also paves the way for other Qatari athletes and enthusiasts. His involvement marked the first of its kind for Qatar, the Arab Gulf states, and the entire Arab region.As Qatar continues to assert its prominence in the global sports landscape, al-Mansouri's journey holds the promise of inspiring his compatriots to embrace diverse athletic pursuits, including professional yo-yoing.
August 27, 2023 | 11:04 PM