Bader, who was the youngest competitor in his discipline in Rio 2016, has kept himself equally busy this year. Pushing himself in a two-month long training camp in Finland, competing in Arab and Asian championships, and taking part in the Diamond League series for the first time ever in his home town Doha in May.
Bader is scheduled to participate in Monaco Diamond League event today.
The javelin thrower’s latest competition saw him snag the silver medal in the 16th Asian Athletics Championships in India held earlier this month.
Commenting on the Asian Championships, Bader said, “It was a really good experience. Competing in one of the strongest Asian Championships ever and leaving with a silver medal, it really gave me a lot more confidence in my performance.”
He added, “That was the first time I had ever competed in the Asian Athletics Championships, so although I wanted gold I’m still very happy with my performance.”
Bader is a graduate of Qatar’s Aspire Academy, the world-class sport and educational establishment based whose alumni include two-time Olympic medallist high jumper Mutaz Barshim, as well as two-time Junior World Champion and Olympian Ashraf Elseify.
His stand-out performance, Bader explained, is the culmination of his experience in Aspire Academy, his intensive training, and his coach, Esa Utriainen, who was a former champion javelin thrower for Finland.
Speaking ahead of his competition in London 2017, Bader said, “Communication with your coach is the most important thing. I speak about everything with him. Coach Esa is incredible. He has a personal best of over 90 metres,” the young Olympian said.
“Every day we try something new to help me develop as an athlete; progress in javelin takes time and patience.”
Never one to rest on his laurels, Bader’s regimen includes training twice a day for a total of five hours, alternating cycles between weight training, throwing, and speed training.
“One of the hardest things about the javelin throw is improving yourself. One metre can take you years – not just one or two years, but five or more. Javelin needs speed, strength and flexibility so in a sense it’s a mixture of many disciplines.”
Bader’s gruelling training and competition schedule, which he juggles alongside his education at Qatar University, is to prepare him for the London 2017 World Championships in Athletics.
“A big part of my preparation for the World Championships in Athletics in London was to compete as many times as possible before it, while still giving myself time to rest to avoid any possibility of injury,” he said.
“My biggest competition in London will definitely be the German team – they have many talented javelin throwers.”
Despite his young age, Bader has high hopes for the World Championships in Athletics.
“My goal for London is to reach the final. Once I get there, anything is possible.”
The World Championships in Athletics will take place in London from August 4-13, 2017, and will see more than 1,900 athletes from over 200 countries around the world take part. Team Qatar will be represented by Ahmed Bader, two-time Olympic medallist high jumper Mutaz Barshim, hammer throw champion Ashraf Elseify, among other athletes.