Meeting Lulwa for the first time, it’s impossible to believe that she has been fencing since 1995, she doesn’t look old enough. But, when watching Lulwa either coaching, or in action, you can’t deny the skill which proves that this international, award-winning champion has been perfecting her talent for twenty-eight years.

It was probably inevitable that Lulwa – or “Lulu” – would be involved in sport in some way, coming from such a sports-oriented family, with a footballer and swimmer for a father, and a mother working as Sports Supervisor in the Kuwait Ministry of Education. Lulu and her sister Balsam were often around their mother when she was supervising sporting events and competitions at the weekends, or present at various activities advocating participation in sport. “It was a lifestyle, and she encouraged us a lot,” says Lulu of her early exposure to a number of different kinds of sports through her mother. There’s no doubt that Lulu’s mother has been a huge influence on her life. Her mother strongly believes that sports develops character and the skills and qualities that can serve a person in life: perseverance, leadership, analytical thinking, decision making, effective use of time, and the ability to focus on what’s important.

Sensing real athletic potential in her daughter, Lulu’s mother looked to enroll her in training for a more formal activity, rather than merely hopping – not necessarily “aimlessly” but certainly without dedication – from one sport to another. Lulu found herself being dropped off at a sports club for girls where she was expected to find a discipline on which she could focus; nurturing and developing skills for that particular physical activity. Lulu stepped into the club, and mere moments later was enthusiastically approached by a woman putting together her own team for fencing. This lady was keen to find out which fencing team was Lulu in already. bazaar asks if that’s because Lulu looked like a fencer. Did the woman spot this perfect physique and just know that Lulu was champion material? However, with absolute honesty, Lulu confesses that she wasn’t always so lithe and, like we probably all did, had an awkward stage when developing as a teenager, and may have been a little out of shape. “I was not in shape at all!” are Lulu’s actual words. So, she didn’t embody what one may envision a fencer to look like, although of course Lulu definitely does fit that ideal today. Despite not knowing what the sport entailed, Lulu checked the lady’s list, saw that it was empty, and decided to be the first one to sign up for the fencing team. Wanting to be number one; that might say something about Lulu’s competitive spirit right there! Lulu also realized that if there were no team in existence already, that would mean not having to integrate into an already formed group, which can be difficult. Lulu was demonstrating strategic thinking long before even stepping onto a piste, which is the ideal attitude when taking on fencing, a sport which can be described as the physical embodiment of chess.

It’s encouraging to know that you don’t have to be in perfect shape to be successful in fencing, as a barrier to taking part in sport, or even going to the gym, can be a lack of confidence in one’s physical state in the first place. That endless catch-22, paralyzing paradox that is, “you’ve got to work out to get in shape”, but feel like “you’ve got to get in shape before you can work out”. Lulu stresses, “It’s not physicality that is a barrier to fencing, it’s mental strength.” There are plenty of fencers who started out years ago not as fit and capable as they are now. There are even World Champions today who had to condition their bodies to match the strength of mind and attitude they exhibited through having the resilience to keep on going, no matter what, to achieve their dreams and goals. In order to get and keep that level of focus with no distractions, you need to be in a safe and supportive space to allow yourself to train your mind. It is this that you can find at Toosh.Winner. Here, the fencing community at the very least is incredibly welcoming and supportive. Certainly, that was the truism for bazaar when we experienced a fencing session with Toosh. Winner; the very first private fencing academy in Kuwait…and with that accolade of the “first” it’s unsurprising that Lulu is a Founder.

Lulu humbly explains that she does feel community encouragement to continue on the path of opening access to fencing in Kuwait, and elevating women through this sport. She feels the endorsement of what she’s trying to achieve through the lack of obstacles being placed in her way. The Asian Games in 2006 provided the first real opportunity for Gulf women to participate in a large-scale sport competition but even back then Lulu had the courage to look beyond what was happening at the time saying, “Society, in general … needs more time to accept the role of sport in their daughters lives as … more than just a hobby…” But, Lulu, instead of waiting passively, became the change she wished to see. She made fencing her life, competing, teaching, and advocating for the sport. It’s this visible effort that has made such as effort, and has resulted in Lulwa Al Ayoub’s pristine reputation, which in turn elevates the fencing offering in Kuwait.

UP CLOSE & PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE

What do you most value about your friends?
Support

Which living person do you most admire?
I admire certain qualities in some special people in my life

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Good health, surrounded by my beloved ones.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Fencing.

What is your most treasured possession?
My kids…yes! My possession!

What is your greatest fear?
Detachment from my kids.

What is your most marked characteristic?
Creativity, lack of fear, consistency

Which talent would you most like to have?
Some artistic talent, whether music or painting; I’m so terrible at it.

What is one trait you have that you are most grateful for?
Making my dreams come true. Vision and consistency.

What is the human trait you most dislike about others?
Dishonesty, I can’t live with it.

What is it that you most dislike?
When people are lost in their life.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Live and let live.

What are your favorite words to live by?
It’s okay! Next!

Where would you most like to live?
Kuwait, but wouldn’t mind some Mediterranean beach for the kids.

If you could have any job, what would it be?
I think I have my dream job.
Training fencing.

What would you consider your greatest achievement?
Achieving what I planned for on different levels without sacrificing one goal and giving up another for it.
Life goal, academic goal, hobby/ profession goal. I finished my studies from one of the hardest universities in my field, I turned to a pro fencer. And continued achieving what I planned for.
Yes you can have what you dream and work hard to get, maybe in different timings.

What do you hope for the future?
To keep enjoying fencing and sharing it with everybody who would like to discover it and learn it. I also would love to see Toosh at the biggest scale.

Follow @toosh.winner on Instagram and DM 9556 6901 to find out more on how to experience a fencing trial.