Everywhere Rawda Alshreef turns, she is met with resistance. You would think a 53-year-old mother of five would be afforded a little more respect, especially one who is a champion table tennis player. It is this very athletic prowess, however, which has ruffled feathers in her conservative society. A resident of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, Alshreef is the reigning Palestinian women's champion. “If I’m there, they know that I will win," says the grandmother of 10. "If I’m sick or miss a competition, then they have a chance.” For most athletes, success opens doors. In the Palestinian territories, however, the traditional Arabic culture frowns on women venturing outside the ambit of home and familial duties. "Some men don't let women go shopping, so can you imagine playing sports?" asks Alshreef. These cultural mores have been a barrier to Alshreef traveling for international competition. Even her brother, who is president of the Palestine Table Tennis Federation, has found excuses to send less qualified players to compete in her stead. “Her brother used to tell her, ‘Oh, you have a lot of young children, you should be taking care of them,’” recalls Alshreef's husband Abdulrahman. Despite the resistance which she faces every day, her fighting spirit is the true irresistible force. “I don’t care what people say,” says Alshreef. “I just want to keep playing.”

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