Zahra Lari (born March 3, 1995) is an Emirati figure skater. She is the first figure skater from the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East to compete internationally. Lari is a five-time Emirati National Champion.
In addition to her rigorous training, Zahra graduated from Abu Dhabi University majoring in Environmental Health and Safety. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Emirates Skating Club, which is the first established figure skating club in the country. She is a dedicated activist for the health and well-being of the UAE society and women in general. Zahra is registered and certified in the UAE National Records for her achievements in serving the Society and the State.
Personal life Zahra Lari is from Abu Dhabi, UAE where she resides with her parents and two brothers. Her father is from the United Arab Emirates. Zahra was inspired to try figure skating at the age of 12, after watching the Disney film Ice Princess, and was able to begin skating lessons shortly after. She graduated from Abu Dhabi University, where she studied environmental health and safety, though she holds the title of CEO and Co-founder of Emirates Skating Club in Abu Dhabi. In 2017, she was included in a Nike, Inc. ad featuring Muslim women athletes.
Lari is also the first figure skater to compete internationally in a hijab. She hopes to serve as an inspiration and light to other young women.
Lari got married in 2020. She has one daughter.
Programs Season Short program Free skating2019–20 Zahra 2018–19 2016–18 Pierrot and the Moon Weeping Meadow (soundtrack)
Career Early career Zahra Lari began learning to skate at the age of 12 at Zayed Sports City. Although her mother was initially supportive, it took some time before her father would let her compete, preferring she continued skating as a hobby. However, after he saw how passionate she was about the sport, he relented.
2011–12 season Her junior international debut was in the 2011-12 season at the European Cup in Canazei, Italy. She received a deduction due to her headscarf, as it was not an approved part of the costume. However, after taking up the issue with the ISU, they changed the rule, allowing for headscarves to be worn in competition.
2013–14 season Lari competed at three international junior competitions. She placed 7th at the Dubai Golden Cup, 12th at the New Year's Cup, and 26th at the [Sportland Trophy.
2014–15 season Lari began competing at the senior level and placed 4th at the FBMA Trophy – her best international placement to date. She also competed at the 2015 International Challenge Cup and placed 11th.
2015-16 season Due to an injury, Zahra only competed at the FBMA Trophy that was held at her home rink.
2016-17 season Zahra competed at the Asian Winter Games in Japan, Cup of Tyrol, EGNA Spring Trophy, FBMA Trophy in Abu Dhabi at her home rink, Skate Helena and Merano Cup.
2017–18 season Zahra competed in the Nebelhorn Trophy (Olympic Qualifiers), Bavarian Open, Cup of Tyrol, FBMA trophy (held at her home rink), Golden Bear, Slovenia Open and UAE National Championship.
2018–19 season Lari competed at the 2019 Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk, Russia and is the first Emirati to compete in the Winter Universiade.
Post-Competitive Due to rink closures during the COVID-19 pandemic Lari took a step back from what she realized was a "unsustainable, frenzied cycle of training and traveling." She is the CEO of the Emirates Skating Club and president of the Figure Skating Committee under the UAE Winter Sports Federation.
In February 2024, Lari published an autobiographical children's book, Not Yet, with co-author Hadley Davis, the screenwriter of Ice Princess, and illustrated by Sara Alfageeh.
Competitive highlights CS: Challenger Series
International Event 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18 18-19 19-20 Alpen Trophy 28th Lombardia WD Nebelhorn 33rd Tallinn Trophy 28th Asian Games 18th Bavarian Open 15th Cup of Tyrol 25th 19th EduSport Trophy 8th Egna Spring Trophy 12th FBMA Trophy 4th 5th 15th 10th Golden Bear 13th Halloween Cup 16th Int. Challenge Cup 11th Skate Helena 14th Merano Cup 16th Slovenia Open 23rd Winter Universiade 29th International: Junior Dubai Golden Cup 7th New Year's Cup 12th Sportland Trophy 26th National Emirati Champ. 1st 1st J = Junior level
Detailed results Senior career 2017–18 season Date Event Level SP FS TotalJanuary 5–7, 2017 FBMA Trophy 2017Senior 15 24.17 15 50.59 15 74.762016–17 season Date Event Level SP FS TotalApril 6–9, 2017Egna Spring TrophySenior 12 25.81 12 51.86 12 77.67February 28 - March 5, 2017Cup of Tyrol 2017Senior 24 25.90 26 54.19 25 80.09February 19–26, 20172017 Asian Winter GamesSenior 19 23.31 17 53.37 18 76.68January 17–21, 201710th Europa Cup Skate HelenaSenior 15 21.87 13 50.69 14 72.56January 5–7, 2017 FBMA Trophy 2017Senior 17 24.17 16 50.59 16 74.76November 10–13, 201619th ISU Merano Cup 2016Senior 17 19.95 16 45.67 16 65.622015–16 season Date Event Level SP FS TotalJanuary 22–23, 2016 FBMA Trophy 2016Senior 5 20.50 5 41.37 5 61.872014–15 season Date Event Level SP FS TotalApril 3–5, 2015 FBMA Trophy 2015Senior 4 25.81 4 46.66 4 72.47February 19–22, 2015 International Challenge Cup 2015Senior 12 19.65 11 39.51 11 59.16
Junior career 2013–14 season Date Event Level SP FS TotalMay 5-June 5, 2014Dubai Golden Cup 2014Junior 4 25.70 7 39.70 7 65.40 2011–12 seasonApril 9–13, 20122012 European CupJunior 15
See also Muslim women in sport
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