SLAS Times Q2 2019-2020 SLAS Times: Fall 2019 | Page 6

Cycling Prodigy at SLAS
by Hana Kiyota
A
braham Alkhatib is a 16-year-old student at SLAS
who competes in cycling meets against adults.
Last year, he attended two of the biggest competi-
tions in China. Even though he had less experience
than other competitors, he won first place in the TREK
Shanghai vs Beijing competition, and he placed sixth
in the HEROS Stage competition.
Alkhatib became a cyclist when he was in middle
school because he wanted to test his determination.
He stated that when he first started cycling, it was dif-
ficult to manage his time between school and ath-
letics. He currently practices before or after going to
school.
“I want to keep loving cycling no matter how old I
am,” Alkhatib stated. His motivation for cycling is to
maintain a positive view towards life, and to relieve
stress from school.
He states that his greatest personality-based strength
is to “be able to stay motivated and positive.” his
greatest weakness is giving up too easily.
On his main cycling strength, he noted, “I’m a punch-
er, which means I’m good at long-range
sprinting with a high short-term wattage.”
He said his long-term goals are to train consistently,
and to return to racing in the short term.
He handles his stress and pressure by being comfort-
able in the fact that he has control of his path and
destiny.