Saudi Equestrian Star Dalma Malhas On Her Key To Success, Life Defining Moments And Her Biggest Regret
The international show jumper on the KSA national team and chairperson of the Athletes’ Commission at the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, is determined to reach her dream of winning a gold medal at the Riyadh 2034 Asian Games…
From her biggest career defining moments and what she loves most about her work, she shares with Bazaar Saudi her favourite mottos, secrets to success and everything she loves the most about her work.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Competing, winning, learning from my mistakes and stepping up my game.
Defining career moment?
Being appointed as chairperson at the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee. It’s a great honour and I’m looking forward to being part of a world-class edition of the Asian Games in Riyadh 2034.
What part of your work are you most proud of?
I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my country through my beloved sport by winning medals and having our flag fly high in the most prestigious sports venues worldwide.
Who is your career role model and why?
My grandfather, Dr. Hamed Al Mutabagani, and my mother, Arwa Mutabagani. Since I was a little girl, I always admired my grandfather’s strength, vision, untameable perseverance and brilliance. He was a great example for me and still remains my great teacher. My mother taught me all the lessons I needed to learn as a daughter and an equestrian. I am forever grateful for all the sacrifice, hard work and love she continues to give me.
Key to success?
Vision, belief, laser focus and hard work. Perseverance and following an action plan to achieve your objectives.
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What life-defining moment changed the way you think about everything?
Probably when I was in university and I had less time with the horses for the first time in my life. Other than confirming that I definitely wanted to pursue a career in the sport, I had some time to reevaluate my strategy, develop my mentality and connect to myself spiritually. I learned the importance of discipline and synchronicity, and I realised that discipline is the key to fulfilment.
Describe yourself in three words…
Determined, focused and optimistic.
Which experience taught you most about yourself and why?
Being in the competition ring because the pressure is on and the whole performance lasts less than two minutes. All the preparation we do is for that one moment, so we have to make it count.
Favourite motto..
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca, a Roman philosopher. Basically, we make our own luck!
Biggest regret?
I don’t really believe in regrets, I believe in mistakes being lessons to learn and grow from. I’m quite a perfectionist, so my main blockage in the past was the fear of failure. I missed out on some oppor-tunities initially until I understood that failure is part of the process; it’s not the end result.
Photography: Laurent Bagnis
From Harper’s Bazaar Saudi’s Spring 2021 issue.
