DAMMAM: The scoreboard lights up and Dhai Al-Amiri, sword raised, lets out a breath: it is another point, win, and step toward making her mark for fencing.
As the sound of clashing blades fades into the background, the cheers rise from teammates and coaches. These have been the familiar sights and sounds at almost every competition in which she has participated.
At just 17, Al-Amiri has already become one of the Kingdom’s most promising athletes, a name that fans and competitors alike are beginning to recognize.
Ranked first in the Kingdom’s senior category, she has turned what began as a childhood curiosity into a string of podium finishes across the Gulf and beyond.
Today, her story represents much more than individual success — it symbolizes the arrival of Saudi women on the international fencing stage.
Her passion for fencing started early, growing up in a home where the sport was always present. Her father, a former fencer and now a national referee, was her first connection to the sport.
“I grew up around the sport always curious and interested,” she said. “To think now I have my own mask with our flag on it when my father’s mask was too big on me before.”
That simple image — a little girl trying on her father’s oversized mask — captures just how far she has come.
Today, Al-Amiri steps onto the piste wearing the flag proudly, her stance firm, her eyes locked on the opponent in front of her. The transformation is striking: the curious child is now one of the sport’s fiercest competitors.
With each bout, she carries the weight of more than just a match. “It’s an honor, a privilege, and a responsibility,” she said.
“Wearing the national colors reminds me that I represent not only myself, but also my family, my community, my country, and the ambitions of Saudi women in sports.”
It is a sense of purpose that fuels her every time she competes, and it has propelled her to some of the biggest podiums in the region.
The past two years have been a whirlwind of competition. She won silver at the Saudi Games 2024, claimed second at the Arab Championships 2025 in the senior category, and added another silver at the Gulf Youth Championships.
In 2024, she became the first Saudi female fencer to reach the Round of 64 at the Junior World Championships — a milestone that placed her among the sport’s global elite — before going on to compete at the prestigious Grand Prix in Qatar earlier this year.
But for all the medals, there is one memory that stands above the rest. “One of my proudest moments was standing on the podium of the First Youth GCC Games carrying the Saudi flag,” she recalled.
“That moment symbolized years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication and it gave me the belief that I’m capable of achieving more.”
Every athlete has a defining test, and for Al-Amiri, it came at the Asian Championship, when she faced one of the highest-ranked opponents in the tournament.
The tension was palpable, every point a battle.
“The pressure was intense,” she said, “but I focused on staying calm, sticking to my strategy, and adapting point by point. Even though it was a difficult match, it taught me resilience, mental toughness, and how to thrive under pressure.”
That ability to stay composed, even as the match tilted on a knife’s edge, is what she believes separates a good fencer from a great one.
That resilience does not just appear on competition day. It is built day by day through training sessions and mental preparation. Al-Amiri follows a routine that sharpens both body and mind.
“I visualize different scenarios, remind myself of my strengths, and build confidence through preparation,” she explained. “Before a match, I like to center myself with deep breaths and positive self-talk. It helps me enter the piste with clarity and focus.”
Her journey, however, has not been without obstacles. When she first started fencing, resources and opportunities for women in sports were scarce.
“But with determination, family support, and the encouragement of coaches, I overcame those barriers,” she said.
“Today, with the progress under Vision 2030, we have much more support and I’m proud to be part of this transformation.”
Vision 2030, she added, has “opened doors for female athletes, providing platforms to compete internationally and showcase their talents.”
The Kingdom’s investment in women’s sports has meant that athletes like Al-Amiri can now train with better facilities, gain exposure to global competition, and inspire others to follow.
Despite the growing list of accomplishments, she insists that she is just getting started.
“In the short-term, I want to continue improving my international ranking,” she said. “In the long-term, my ultimate goal is to qualify for the Olympics and make history for Saudi fencing women.”
The dream of walking into an Olympic stadium wearing green and white is what keeps her pushing through every grueling practice, every early morning flight, every high-pressure match.
For Al-Amiri, her career is more than just medals, it is a message. “I hope my journey shows that with passion, discipline, and perseverance, no dream is too big,” she said.
“I want young Saudis, especially women, to believe in themselves, their potential for growth, and to break barriers — to know that they can achieve greatness.”
With her calm focus, fierce discipline, and growing international experience, Al-Amiri represents a new era of Saudi athletes. One where young women are stepping onto global stages, fearless and ready.
Each point she scores is not just for herself, but for every Saudi girl watching, every family cheering, every dream waiting to be realized.
