Bahrain’s Para Taekwondo journey has been shaped by steady growth, community support, and a commitment to inclusion. At the centre of this progress is Free Spirit Dojang, the country’s first disability-inclusive martial arts training centre, founded by coach Fajar Al BinAli. What began as a local programme has expanded into a national effort, with athletes representing Bahrain at Arab, Asian, and world levels; and making history along the way.
Can you introduce yourself and your role with Bahrain’s Para Taekwondo national team?
My name is Fajar Al BinAli, and I am the founder and head coach of Free Spirit Dojang, Bahrain’s first disability-inclusive martial arts training center. We specialize in both combat and non-combat forms of Taekwondo, offering instruction to mainstream practitioners as well as individuals with eligible impairments.
As the number of athletes with disabilities in our program grew, I became certified as a national para Taekwondo classifier and took on the role of national para Taekwondo team coach.
I’ve had the honour of training and leading our para athletes as they represented Bahrain on the international stage, achieving historic results and proudly raising the Bahraini flag in both combat and non-combat competitions at the Arab, Asian, and World levels.
What has been your vision since taking on this role?
From the start, my vision has been to build a solid foundation that goes beyond just training for medals. I wanted to create a holistic environment where athletes receive structured technical coaching, physical conditioning, and mental support, while also drawing strength from their families and community.
The goal has always been to nurture a culture of trust, discipline, and excellence that can sustain athletes at the highest level while also inspiring young people with disabilities in Bahrain and across the region to see sports as a pathway of possibility into other avenues such as education and employment.
What’s next for the team? Any upcoming goals or competitions you’re preparing for?
Our immediate focus is on sustaining this level of excellence in the build-up to the upcoming World Championships. At the same time, we’re working on expanding the team by welcoming more athletes with different types of impairments to join and represent Bahrain.
Long term, our dream is to see Bahrain strongly represented at the Paralympic Games in Para Taekwondo. That’s the horizon we’re building toward step by step.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to young athletes who want to follow this path?
My message is simple: get into sports, try out different disciplines at an early age, and be open to guidance from your coaches and mentors about what suits you best. Once you discover your sport, embrace it fully, challenge the norm, push boundaries, and show the world what’s possible. Sports can change lives, and you never know how far your journey could take you until you start.
What This Means for Bahrain & the Region
Bahrain’s success in Para Taekwondo reflects more than medals and trophies. It highlights a wider shift toward inclusive sports in the Kingdom.
Hosting the first World Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and earning top rankings in Asia show how far the team has come in a short time.
Just as importantly, these achievements have created momentum at home, inspiring more athletes with impairments to step onto the mats and proving that sporting excellence and inclusivity can go hand in hand. For Bahrain and the wider region, it is a sign of what’s possible when vision, discipline, and community support come together.
