We offer our heartiest congratulations to our alumna, Ms. Patricia Nseir, on being crowned International Wushu Federation’s (IWUF) athlete of the month of February, thus stealing the international spotlight and making our country known throughout the world as a nation of invincible hope and exuberant talents.

Ms. Nseir was among the first students who have graduated with a double degree in Physical Education and Physical Therapy, and then obtained a master’s degree in Sports Management at Antonine University (UA). This variety of programs opened the door to a wide range of learning and career fulfilling opportunities which broadened her perspectives and allowed her to gain new skills. She has always been fascinated by martial arts, proving that wushu is a lifestyle one can sustain for years. Just as the blood runs through her veins, so too her passion for Wushu, which led her to travel around the globe, although it was never easy to compete internationally against high-level athletes. From a very young age, her talent was spotted and nurtured by her father, a faculty member at the Faculty of Sport Sciences at UA and president of the Lebanese Wushu Federation, and memories of her childhood are colored by his encouragement and constant support to help her pursue her aspirations and overcome adverse circumstances. Her heart is filled with gratitude as she can see that her family, friends and loved ones are proud of her for making it this far.

Wushu gave Ms. Nseir many opportunities that she had once only dreamed of and she was lucky to live out her passion in ways she wouldn’t have expected. Her triumphs which led her to participate in 6 World Wushu Championships (WWC) and be part of huge sports events, always left her with a feeling of wanting to be part of the next WWC. She sets a wonderful example for young women through her remarkable achievements. She also ignites amateur athletes’ passion for sports through her commitment and dedication which have paid off. The highlight of her sports career was taking part in two Asian games and winning the Youth European Championship in 2005. The chance to undergo intense training for 6 months in China and 2 consecutive summers in Russia was a precious occasion for her, as it hugely enhanced her athletic performance and increased her overall body strength. She got accepted in international programs on leadership and communication in the US, Switzerland, Greece, Brazil and many other places. She was named Athlete of the Year many times on a nationwide scale and became well-recognized on the Arab sport scene.

Furthermore, Wushu shaped her personality and enabled her to become an all-rounder and a true model of perseverance. It also strengthened her self-esteem and helped her gain maturity, build emotional strength, find inner peace within herself, better understand others and their way of thinking and always see the bigger picture. Ms. Nseir brings her infectious enthusiasm and overflowing energy to the arena. Her unshakable resilience, mesmerizing athletic performance, glowing personality and quest for excellence have propelled her to the forefront of the sports scene, to the point that anyone seeking the spirit of sportsmanship and selflessness can find it in her.

Despite the persistent political instability, limited financial resources and sharp depreciation of the local currency, all of which made traveling abroad and participating in competitions extremely hard, Ms. Nseir is still trying her best to promote Wushu in Lebanon. She works tirelessly to positively impact the lives of others and support young junior athlete students. Besides continuing her own training and being the coach of the Wushu Lebanese national team, she teaches Wushu, helps organize national championships and gives seminars to coaches and judges on doping in sports and the health benefits of physical activity. She is currently also working full-time on her PhD in France, with a research topic that covers the history and development of Wushu in Lebanon, from sociological, community and historical perspectives.

Her marvelous journey of strength is a source of inspiration for all those around her and represents one of the most striking success stories. The challenging political and economic circumstances did not stop her from reaching her full potential by mastering new techniques and learning the competition rules. She has indeed distinguished herself as a champion, and chosen to improve herself as well as her community and take control of her destiny. Lastly, she expressed her hope that one day, the young brilliant minds who left Lebanon in search of opportunities abroad will be able to return to their home country!