Muhammad Hassan Shambay, a seven-year-old gymnast from Gwadar, Pakistan, has captured national attention after a video of him performing advanced gymnastics moves at a school event went viral on social media. Despite coming from a financially disadvantaged family, Shambay’s talent and dedication have turned him into a local sensation.
At an assembly at New Town Higher Secondary School, Shambay was awarded a professional gymnastics suit and training mat by the principal, who expressed hopes for government support to help the young athlete realize his full potential.
Shambay, who has been practicing gymnastics for two years without formal training or safety equipment, credits online videos of Indian YouTuber ‘Aman Gymnast’ and Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff for inspiring him.
“Gymnastics became my passion when I was five,” Shambay shared. “I watched videos on my brother’s phone and practiced at home.”
With no access to a coach or proper training facilities, Shambay has mastered difficult moves like somersaults, backbend kickovers, cartwheels, and no-handed forward rolls. His mother, Saima, fully supports his passion, despite the family’s financial hardships.
“We are doing what we can to support him,” Saima said. “I’m proud of how far he’s come.”
Shambay’s elder brother, Beberg, acknowledged the challenges they face, including the high cost of gymnastics equipment and training.
“Our father is too ill to work, and we struggle to meet our basic needs. Gymnastics is expensive, but we’re helping him as much as we can,” Beberg said, recalling how Shambay broke his arm last year while practicing a somersault. Despite the injury and his mother’s concerns, Shambay refused to give up.
Abdul Karim, the school principal, described Shambay as a “bright but shy” student and called for government support to help him pursue his gymnastics career.
“We want Hassan to become an international icon,” Karim said. “He has the talent, but he needs the right support.”
Shambay, the third youngest of seven siblings, dreams of representing Pakistan in the Olympics one day.
“There are many local athletes here in Balochistan,” he said. “I want to become a professional gymnast and make my country proud.”
