Saudi taekwondo star Donia Abu Taleb's journey into the sport was unconventional; she trained at a boys' club for years due to the lack of female competitors. Now, at 27, she has made history as the first Saudi woman to qualify for the Olympics, aiming to secure the Gulf kingdom's inaugural gold medal in Paris. Despite her current fame, which includes her smiling face on posters and billboards, Abu Taleb's beginnings were modest. She recounted to AFP, 'I began taekwondo at eight, with no support as there is now. I trained with boys, initially without any girls, and wore a head covering to hide my gender.' Her experience competing against boys, she noted, 'made me strong and love the challenge.'

For many years, Saudi Arabia limited women's involvement in sports, even as spectators. However, privileged women could participate in tennis and football privately. In 2012, Wojdan Shaherkani became the first Saudi woman to compete in the Olympics, albeit briefly, while Sarah Attar finished last in her 800m heat. Abu Taleb stands out as the first to qualify legitimately, benefiting from the recent reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which include promoting women's rights and sports.

Abu Taleb has capitalized on this support, winning gold at the 2020 Arab Taekwondo Championship and earning bronze at the Asian and world championships in 2022, followed by gold at the Asian Championships earlier this year. She aspires to win gold in Paris, stating, 'I've always dreamt of being a world champion and winning Olympic gold.' Saudi Arabia has previously only won bronze and silver medals, all by men.

Her success could bolster Saudi Arabia's efforts to rebrand itself as a sports hub, hosting major events like the 2027 Asian Cup, 2029 Asian Winter Games, and 2034 Asian Games. The Sports Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, expressed the government's ultimate goal to host the Olympics. Abu Taleb, though in a less prominent event, has attracted official attention, leading to the hiring of Russian coach Kurban Bogdaev, who initially saw her potential despite her low ranking. Her dedication and confidence have propelled her to near the top of the rankings, preparing her for the upcoming Olympics where she is determined to succeed, acknowledging the high stakes, 'I must achieve something.'