MUSCAT: The road to the Olympic Games is never paved by talent alone. It demands relentless technical refinement, sustained financial investment, and mental resilience to withstand years of elite-level competition. For Oman’s rising taekwondo talent Al Muhannad bin Tawfiq al Balushi, the journey toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games is no longer a distant ambition but it is an unfolding reality shaped by discipline, sacrifice and an unforgiving qualification system that rewards only sustained excellence.
At a time when Olympic qualification in taekwondo is determined by long-term world ranking accumulation rather than single-event success, Al Muhannad has emerged as one of Oman’s most promising prospects. His rapid ascent on the international stage, combined with structured institutional support, placed him firmly on a pathway that could lead to Oman’s presence in taekwondo at the 34th Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
A decisive step in Al Muhannad’s Olympic journey came in September 2024, when he signed a three-year Olympic Scholarships Agreement with the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC). The programme was designed to elevate his technical readiness and provide structure to his long-term development, aligning his training cycle with international qualification standards. The agreement reflected growing confidence in his potential and placed new expectations on his shoulders. Olympic scholarships are not merely financial tools but they are statements of belief that an athlete can carry national aspirations onto the world’s biggest sporting stage.
International Stage
The 2025 season proved to be a defining chapter in Al Muhannad’s sporting career. He delivered a series of outstanding international performances that reflected not only medal success, but also significant progress in technical maturity, tactical intelligence, and psychological composure as key attributes required at elite level.
“I am proud of myself after accomplishing many achievements last year,” Al Muhannad told Oman Observer. “During the 2025 season, I managed to achieve an impressive collection of international titles and medals. These achievements reflected my rapid rise on the global taekwondo stage.”
His medal haul included a Gold Medal at the Grand Prix in Estonia, alongside a Bronze Medal at the European Clubs Championship, also held in Estonia. He further clinched Gold at the Swiss International Championship, before securing another Gold Medal at the Grand Prix in China. Al Muhannad added a Silver Medal at the Qatar International Open, before concluding the season on a historic high with Gold at the Grand Prix Final in Bosnia as a landmark achievement for Omani taekwondo.
“These results represent not only medal success, but also valuable world ranking points, significantly enhancing my international standing,” he added.
Senior Category
Following his breakthrough performances, Al Muhannad has entered a new and more demanding phase of his career with his transition to the senior (men’s) -54 kg category which is a division dominated by experienced Olympic and world championship contenders.
“This move will require major adaptations,” Al Muhannad explained. “I need to increase physical strength and endurance to compete against experienced senior athletes. I also have to build my tactical capabilities to handle faster pace and higher match intensity, while advancing psychological preparation to manage pressure at elite-level events.”
Throughout 2025, Al Muhannad demonstrated steady progress in adapting to these demands, proving his ability to compete consistently against senior-level opposition. His performances indicated not only readiness for the present, but sustainability for long-term competition across multiple Olympic qualification cycles.
Ranking Strategy
Looking ahead, Al Muhannad is adopting a holistic athlete development approach which is a necessity in modern Olympic taekwondo. “I am focusing on high-level international training camps, continuous exposure to elite Grand Prix and G-ranked tournaments, technical and tactical analysis against top-ranked opponents, and mental conditioning and competition psychology,” he said.
“This structured approach will enable measurable improvements in match control, scoring efficiency, and consistency, which are essential for accelerating my climb in the world rankings and meeting Olympic qualification requirements.”
Such a pathway reflects the modern reality of Olympic taekwondo, where success depends on long-term planning, data-driven performance analysis, and sustained exposure to the highest competitive environments.
Pathway to Los Angeles 2028
Al Muhannad is clear about his ultimate ambition. “My objective is to secure qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games,” he stated. “Achieving this goal requires consistent participation in WT-recognised international tournaments, accumulation of Olympic ranking points over multiple seasons, strategic competition selection to maximise ranking efficiency, and long-term performance stability with injury prevention.”
His 2025 results confirmed that he is firmly on the right trajectory toward Olympic contention but the journey remains demanding and unforgiving.
Financial and Technical Challenges
Despite his progress, Al Muhannad acknowledged the significant challenges that lie ahead, particularly on the financial front. “I am facing financial challenges, including the high costs of international travel, accommodation, and competition fees,” he said. “There are also expenses related to elite coaching, sports science support, training camps, equipment, recovery programmes, and medical support.”
On the technical side, the demands are equally relentless. “These include competing regularly against top-10 world-ranked athletes, maintaining peak physical condition across multiple seasons, and continuously evolving technically to match global performance trends.”
Addressing these challenges, he will require strong institutional backing, sponsorship support, and sustained investment in athlete development which is a critical factor for transforming Olympic potential into Olympic participation.
Al Muhannad’s achievements in 2025 represented more than individual success as they mark a potential turning point in the history of Omani taekwondo. His smooth transition to the senior -54 kg category, combined with historic international results, underscores his ability to compete at the highest global level. With continued structured preparation, technical advancement, and financial support, Al Muhannad will stand as one of Oman’s strongest Olympic hopes on the road to Los Angeles 2028.
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