Egyptian Ibrahim Hamdto dazzled the world by playing table tennis using his foot and mouth during his participation in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
He also caught the attention of the international press with his determination, his defiance of his circumstances, and his insistence on practicing his favorite sport.
Hamadto, 48, was in a train accident at the age of ten, as a result of which he lost his arms, so he resorted to using his foot to prepare the ball until he hits it with the racket, which he found only his mouth to catch.
The International Paralympic Committee praised the Egyptian champion, despite his defeat, on Wednesday, against his South Korean opponent, Park Hong.
The committee described him as "an inspiration to everyone around the world. After losing his arms in an accident, he sends with his foot, grabs the racket and plays with his mouth."
In turn, the official account of the Tokyo Olympics on Twitter posted a video clip showing Hamdto as an "anime" character playing with the mascot of the Paralympic Games Tokyo and the doll "Sumiti".
He also shared another picture, commenting on it: "We are always happy to see Ibrahim Hamdto."
Sports channels, international pages and activists interacted with Hamdto's participation in the second Paralympic Games in a row, after his participation in the previous Rio de Janeiro tournament.
Only in the Paralympics.
Ibrahim Hamato inspires everyone around the world.
After losing his arms in an accident, he holds the bat in his mouth and serves with his foot.
Representing #EGY at his second Paralympics đź‘Ź#ParaTableTennis #Tokyo2020 #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/3qvmXkto5x
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) August 25, 2021
#Someity ❤️ #ParaTableTennis pic.twitter.com/ra2GPxLKTD
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) August 25, 2021
Always a pleasure to watch Ibrahim Elhusseiny Hamadtou🇪🇬 compete 🏓 #ParaTableTennis #Tokyo2020 |
#Paralympics pic.twitter.com/drxbteS5Mg
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) August 25, 2021
Egypt's Ibrahim Hamadtou lost his arms in an accident aged 10…
To improvise, he holds the table tennis bat in his mouth!
đź‘Ź#Tokyo2020 #C4Paralympics pic.twitter.com/zDyCggdUQ9
— C4 Paralympics (@C4Paralympics) August 25, 2021
Part of the participation of the Egyptian Ibrahim Hamdto in his match against the Korean Park, in the table tennis competitions within the framework of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Hamdto is inspiring to many, setting an example in challenge and determination, as the way he plays by holding the racket in his mouth and throwing the ball with his foot to direct service strikes is impressive and appreciated pic. twitter.com/HtqcTVrgoj
— Japan in Arabic 🇯🇵# Tokyo 2020🗼 (@nippon_ar) August 25, 2021
Paralympian Ibrahim Hamadtou, who plays table tennis with his mouth:
"The disability is not in the arms or legs, the disability is to not persevere in whatever you would like to do."
Inspirational ❤️🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/qVGbtlug5w
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 26, 2021
🏓 L'image forte de ce début de Jeux paralympiques avec Ibrahim Hamadtou en para tennis de table
À 48 ans, l'Égyptien joue avec la raquette entre les dents et s'aide de son pied pour servir #Paralympics
➡Suivez les Jeux paralympiques en direct: https://t.co/ICkFacXcjk pic.twitter.com/qvh56w4qvo
— francetvsport (@francetvsport) August 25, 2021
❤️ Amazing!
Ibrahim Hamadtou of Egypt lost both his arms as a kid in a train accident.
He holds the paddle in his mouth, and flicks the ball up with his foot to serve.
Simply incredible.#Tokyo2020 #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/WfZqvE99SR
— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) August 25, 2021
Pd usia 10, Ibrahim Hamadtou #EGY kehilangan dua tangan krn kecelakaan kereta api.
Tanpa tangan, cintanya pd tenis meja tak padam.
Sempat dpt penolakan, Hamadtou maju terus.
Dia berlatih servis dlm setahun.
Skrng pd usia 48, Hamadtou masih jd salah satu yg terbaik di Afrika.
pic.twitter.com/jmzXTmUNXj
— A. Ainur Rohman (@ainurohman) August 26, 2021
Ibrahim Hamadtou is epitome of Inspiration !
After losing his arms in an accident 38 years ago, he holds the bat in his mouth and serves with his foot.
He is representing at his second Paralympics.#ParaTableTennis #Tokyo2020 #Paralympics #Inspiration pic.twitter.com/cRt9ZISmrx
— Rahul Trehan (@imrahultrehan) August 26, 2021