A Paralympian claims he’s "won a medal in life" amid his battle with Crohn's disease.
Powerlifting star Ali Jawad, 32, failed to win a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, but is pleased he was able to reach the Paralympics while battling his condition.
The Rio 2016 silver medallist has been through a torrid time as he has shielded for three years, took risks with medication and decided not to go through a stem cell trial which involves aggressive chemotherapy.
As a result of the disease, the powerlifter did not arrive in Tokyo in the best shape, but still battled to a sixth-place finish in the men’s 59kg final.
China's Qi Yongkai took the gold ahead of defending champion Sherif Osman who had to settle for silver.
Unless Jawad finds sustainable medical treatment for Crohn's disease, he may be forced into retirement, but for now, he is happy to have made it to his fourth Paralympic Games.
“I've managed to take Crohn's Disease to the very limits of what anyone's been able to take it before and managed to survive and I'm here. "That for me is better than any medal I can have around my neck," the athlete said.
"I'm very proud to have made it here. I think I've won a medal in life."
Crohn's disease is a long-term condition where the gut becomes inflamed and some of the main symptoms are diarrhoea, stomach aches and cramps.
The Lebanon-born athlete, was born without legs and has been taking the steroid prednisolone for his ongoing condition.
He is proud of the resilience he has shown to compete at the prestigious Olympic Games once again and push himself to the limit despite the challenges in his path.
"I've managed to take Crohn's Disease to the very limits of what anyone's been able to take it before and managed to survive and I'm here.”
The Team GB athlete described the medication he is currently taking and how it affected his preparation for the event.
He explained: “I think the first thing is to come off the medication I'm on.
"That was the big risk: the side effects and what it does. It's just completely transformed my body in a way that you can't train and live normally and recover from training.
Jawad added: "I need to come off it but I need to come off it slowly and find an alternative method to try and treat me and get me in remission.
"After that we'll make a decision about whether or not I make a competitive comeback. I can't compete sick or in the position I'm in now."
Jawad's inspirational exploits were swiftly backed up by the feat of team-mate Olivia Broome.
The 20-year-old, from Lancashire, marked her Paralympic debut with a best lift of 107kg, 13kg off gold, to claim the bronze medal.
