All in awe of Saudi sergeant Al-Hebshi

A two-time Asian Games gold medalist,Al-Hebshi started with shot-put when he was 16.

As Sultan Abdul-Majeed Al-Hebshi prepares his bar in the hastily assembled gymnasium at the Balewadi sports complex,a crowd gathers at the entrance. A majority of the crowd is made up of Al-Hebshis fellow athletes,who rattle off rapid-fire exclamations in various languages as they observe the Saudi Arabian shot-putter go through his paces.

Al-Hebshi loads up a bar with two 45kg weight-plates and then proceeds to execute ten squat-jumps in quick succession. The six-feet four inch Saudi barely breaks a sweat as he crouches and takes off in explosive fashion,and the people around him stare in amazement.

The 28-year-old Saudi displayed the same nonchalant demeanor in the rain-marred shot-put finals as he clinched gold with a throw of 19.68m,beating second-placed Chang Ming-Huang of Chinese Taipei by a good 7cm.

It was like I was always in control through all six throws. In the middle,Chang seemed to be suddenly coming into form but with the fifth throw 19.68m,I knew I had things wrapped up, Al-Hebshi says.

A two-time Asian Games gold medalist 2006 Doha,2010 Guangzhou,Al-Hebshi started with shot-put when he was 16. The son of an Ethiopian immigrant,who was a chauffeur with the Saudi royal family,and a Saudi mother,Al-Hebshi is the youngest of eight brothers.

I was always kind of broad and tall for my age. I started going to the gym in Riyadh when I was 15. The people at the gym seemed to like my build and one day they put a shot-put in my hand and told me to throw it. I did that and slowly things started falling into place, he says.

Tough beginning

With a family that had nine children to feed,things were not always easy for Al-Hebshi. I wouldnt say that we were poor. But at times the going got tough. Thats when the Saudi navy helped me out, he says.

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Al-Hebshi is a sergeant in the Saudi Arabian navy and trains at their sports directorate in the port-city of Khobar. With a personal best of 21.13m,set in Doha in 2009,Al-Hebshis biggest goal right now is to pocket an Olympic medal.

I went for the 2008 games in Beijing but I had a disappointing outing. I didnt throw well enough. However,since then,I have worked a lot on my technique and my fitness. I have strengthened my shoulder and Inshallah,a medal waits for me in Rio, he says.