This Emirati Figure Skater Is Shattering Every Glass Ceiling Imaginable

Zahra Lari has garnered a lot of attention in recent weeks because of her new campaign with Nike following the release of their first ever 'pro-hijab'.

Lari is a 22 year old figure skater from the United Arab Emirates, and while this might seem far fetched - there are ice rinks in the middle of the desert, and she has taken full advantage of the amenities. She is the first professional figure skater for the UAE, representing them internationally, and has her sights currently set on qualifying for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Lari first made headlines when she became the first international figure skater to wear a hijab while competing. Religion being as conservative as it is the middle-east means that she and her family would face a lot of strife coming up, Zahra having made the decision to compete in a sport that is based on display and show, in tight sports gear. Defying the odds and pressure female athletes in the middle-east have to endure compared to their western counterparts, Lari is as impressive a role model as they come. SWAAY spoke to her about life as a pro-figure skater in the UAE and how it differs from the regular life a woman in the UAE.

When I was 12, I watched a skating movie called "Ice Princess" and after watching it I fell in love with the sport. A few days later I started taking lessons.

When I first started skating it wasn't a popular sport, in fact people barely knew what it was, since it's a winter sport and we're in a desert country. Ever since I've been in the media and giving speeches to kids in schools it's starting to pick up. Every year the numbers are increasing and we have a lot of young talented Emirati skaters.

At first my mom was against it because she said that I must focus on my education since I was an honor roll student. She was also concerned that I would get injured. Since she said 'no', I went to my dad and asked him. Fortunately, he agreed and took me the next day to start lessons. My mom then became very supportive and has always been there, even at 4:30am practices! Once I started getting serious, my dad then started saying that I was getting older and should stop competing. I listened to him and didn't compete. When he realized how devastated I was, that there was really nothing wrong with me doing a sport and that I am being healthy, he relented and accepted. Now I am so lucky to have all of my family being very supportive.

The biggest challenge was educating people about the sport. Everyone considered it dancing and not a sport, so I had to change their way of thinking about it.

The biggest barrier is that figure skating as a sport does not have a yearly budget to run. I am very lucky to have the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies sports academy's support and sponsorship. For the sport to grow and for other UAE nationals to compete internationally we need the financial support and a budget set for figure skating on a national level.

The first 3 years I was only doing once a week 30 min lesson but I was still improving so fast that my coach said she needs more. So during school I was going before school to practice at 4:30am until 7am then go to school and be back on ice at 3pm until 6pm. A lot of people thought I was crazy but I'm very passionate and determined about figure skating. At the moment my training schedule defers from week to week and if I have competitions coming up or not and with my university schedule but I'm training 4 hours a day everyday and I also do gym at Adrenagy.

I'm so thankful and blessed that my country is providing us with great facilities and good conditions to skate on. The only problem we face is ice time since we have public sessions and hockey running as well.

I faced a lot of criticism about my outfits. I don't wear tights but I wear pants with my costumes. I try to make people aware that the only reason my costumes are fitted is so I don't harm myself during my skating. With all the movements, jumps, and tricks that we have to do, it's dangerous to have baggy clothes.

It will make me so proud to be able to be the first person ever to represent my country in a Winter Olympics and to be able to raise the UAE flag.

Every athletes dream is to go to the Olympics. I train hard everyday to be better than I was the day before and I realize that everyday we are getting closer and closer to the Olympics. If I don't make it to the 2018 Olympics I will go to the 2022. That is my goal and promise to myself.

I am fortunate that Abu Dhabi University is supportive and understanding of my journey. I have to skip a semester every year when it's competition season because of a lot of traveling and that unfortunately will make me finish university a bit later but it's worth it.

Environmental health and safety.

Every performance I do has a story behind it; for example, my free skate this year was about refugees. When I have a story it's easier for me to connect to the performance and portray the character

At the beginning they didn't know what it was so I got a lot of questioning but now everyone is very supportive of what I do and they all believe in me. Of course I get some criticism but I don't pay attention to that.

Since I started skating it was always my dream to be sponsored by Nike, so when they approached me I was so excited, happy and shocked that they chose me! It was an honor for me to be part of the "what will they say about you" campaign and also part of the Nike pro hijab.

"I'm very proud to be part of this journey and be a member of the Nike family." -Zahra

We all want to show women that yes you can do a sport and yes you can be great at it. Never let anyone tell you that you can't. Just do it :)

My motto is: There will always be people not understanding you, people doubting you, people not believing in you; just trust yourself, have confidence and prove them wrong.

Work hard, give it 100% everyday, never give up and most important thing is to have fun.