At 84, he cycles 50 kilometers a week.

Abu Zahab spends most of his time in the bicycle shop that he opened in 1966 in the Zarif district of the capital Beirut, in the Hamra district, and now runs it with his son.

The walls of the 57-year-old shop where he sells and repairs bicycles are full of the medals that Abu Zahab won in the international cycling competitions in which he participated in different countries, especially in Europe, between 1957-1975, and press clippings. about him in the Western media.

In his veteran shop, where he spent most of his life, Abu Zahab told Anadolu Agency about his passion for cycling that began in childhood, how he went to Europe as an athlete at the age of 18 with this passion and achievements.

Photo: AA

Stating that he was born in Beirut in 1939, Abu Zahab said: “My father bought a bicycle for my sister to go to school in 1947. I was also 8 years old at the time. My sister went to Europe to complete her education and left me her bike. Then my brother and I would go for a bike ride. In 1952 and 1953 we started going to school by bicycle. The bicycle has now become a tool that I use every day.” saying.

Abu Zahab, whose eyes filled with tears as he described that period, said that his brother had joined Beirut’s first cycling club, “Sacre Coeur Sports Club”, which is now closed, and that he was unable to register with the club due to his early age.

Abu Zahab claimed that one day, while cycling on the road between Beirut and the southern city of Sayda, in 1955, the club’s president, Josep Holam, noticed him and registered his name with the club.

Photo: AA

PARTICIPATED IN COMPETITIONS IN EUROPE

Stating that he went to Paris from Beirut in 1957 and received a bit more cycling training in the first year, Ebu Zahab noted that he participated in the first international cycling race in 1961 in Paris.

Stating that he pedaled in 4 competitions held in France and was rewarded for his participation, Ebu Zahab emphasized that he still keeps the bicycle that was given to him in his shop due to the qualification he obtained in the tournament in which he participated in Paris in 1961.

Noting that he participated in the “Race for Peace” held in Berlin, Germany, between 1962 and 1965, together with France, Abu Zahab said: “The best moments of my life and the moments that I still remember very well were the Race for peace”. saying.

STAMP PRINTED FOR YOU IN GERMANY

Due to his participation in cycling races held in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, the name of Abu Zahab is in the museum called “Friedensfahrt”, which means “Race for Peace”, in Kleinmühlingen, Germany.

Having regularly attended the events organized by the museum every year, Abu Zahab said: “I am very honored. We meet many former athletes. We also give their awards to young athletes who have obtained titles in competitions”. he said.

With trembling hands, Abu Zahab opened the blue folder next to his desk in his shop and showed her the postage stamps with his photo, which were printed in Germany in 2014.

THE CIVIL WAR CANNOT BE 15 YEARS OLD

Abu Zahab, who had to return to his country for family reasons after his sports activities in Europe, says that he opened this bicycle shop, which is still in business, in 1966.

Noting that he participated in competitions in different countries on behalf of Lebanon in short intervals, Abu Zahab said, “However, after I returned to Lebanon, I could not get a title because my performance and work level were not very good.” the said.

When asked what he did during the bloody and devastating civil war that broke out in Lebanon in 1975 and lasted until 1990, Abu Zahab said: “I stayed at home. I couldn’t ride a bike.” He gave the answer.

PEDALS 50 KM EVERY WEEK

Despite his advanced age and lack of strong cycling infrastructure, Abu Zahab, who does not stop riding professional bikes with his family and friends in the coastal region every weekend, says: “I ride 50 kilometers every weekends”. saying.

Abu Zahab, who, like everyone else in Lebanon, complained about the heavy traffic due to the increasing number of vehicles and the lack of respect from drivers towards athletes, noting that especially cyclists had a lot of traffic problems.

Abu Zahab said: “The roads are dangerous. I can’t use the roads while riding a bike.” he said. (AA)