39 WOTYA 2025 womanthismonth.com | JANUARY 2026 Winner of the Woman in Sports category at the Woman of the Year Awards 2025, Manal Fakhrawi is a professional endurance rider and a longstanding member of the Royal Endurance Team Bahrain, a role she has held since 2000. A recipient of the Medal of Honour from His Majesty the King, she also serves on the endurance committee and is widely recognised for inspiring women of all ages to pursue their ambitions with confidence, discipline and courage. What was a moment during the ceremony that felt most meaningful to you? What stood out most was the platform created for women and the way it brought people together. I truly enjoyed connecting, socialising and sharing our journeys. It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many women, each with a powerful story of perseverance and achievement. Were there any reactions from family, team, or community that surprised you? The level of support I received genuinely surprised me, especially from people I had never interacted with before. It was deeply moving to realise that what I do has an impact on others and that my journey resonates beyond my immediate circle. How has winning informed your priorities or plans since the awards night? Winning made me reflect on the impact of my work and motivated me to continue pushing my limits. As a working mother, the journey is not without its challenges, and this recognition has encouraged me to focus even more on the process and the road to success, rather than success alone. How will you use the prize, platform, or network that came with this award? I will continue to focus on motivating and educating people about the importance of being active. Sport plays a powerful role in improving lifestyle and mental wellbeing, and I hope to use this platform to highlight that message and encourage more people to embrace physical activity. What concrete next steps or milestones are you committing to in the next 12 months? I will be participating in the upcoming endurance racing season with the aim of achieving podium results. I am also looking forward to taking on new challenges and races that are set to be held in the Kingdom for the first time in 2026. What is one piece of advice you would give to young women looking up to you now that you have won? Believe in your ability to grow through discipline and persistence. Focus on the journey, stay committed to your goals, and do not let challenges define your limits. Confidence is built through action, consistency and the courage to keep moving forward.
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