After playing in the women’s WH1 category for the last five years, Shaimaa Samy Abdellatif was reclassified to WH2 in May 2023.

And she is slated to play her first BWF Para Badminton World Championships in the category in Pattaya, Thailand next week (20-25 February), having featured at the 2019 and 2022 editions in the previous category.

“At first, I saw 2023 as the worst year of my life. In WH1, I reached second in the world. Since being reclassified, I’ve had to work again from zero but in only six months I’ve climbed to No.14. So I guess it’s not completely a bad year,” said the Egyptian.

Abdellatif started playing badminton in 2018 after representing her country in sitting discus at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. She also won bronze in the sport at the 2013 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships.

After leaving the national team, she took up wheelchair tennis, and now juggles her schedule between being an international badminton player and a wheelchair pentathlon and tennis coach.

“I want to help other Para athletes, especially women, discover their abilities and excel in the sport of their choice.”

Contracting polio at age three, Abdellatif underwent several surgeries as a child but with the support of her parents and six sisters, she learnt to be independent and resilient.

“When I was 22, I saw people in wheelchairs playing sports. My father took me to all my training sessions and after I was recruited to the national team, I learnt to travel and became more confident about looking after myself wherever I went.”

Although being reclassified put a damper on her plans, her focus remains the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in August. While a medal may not be within her grasp, the hope of qualifying spurs her on.

“I’m the kind of person who never gives up and my courage comes from my family. I felt very alone last year but my family and mental coach, Dr. Mohamed Safielden, have stood by me in this fight,” said the 42-year-old.

“It’s still hard to keep thinking positively sometimes. When I’m playing, I tend to look at the WH1 players I used to play against and I lose focus on my own match. But, I’m a high-performance athlete. I already have these muscles and strength, and I know I’m able to perform at the highest level. And my federation is also very supportive.”