Indian equestrian Fouaad Mirza has broken the longstanding spell to represent India in Tokyo Olympics after twenty years.
Fouaad has previously won two silver medals at the Asian games for both individual and team events in 2018. He also received the Arjuna Award in 2019. Fouaad finished second and third with his horses, Seigneur Medicott and Dajara 4, respectively, at the Baborowko Equestrian Festival in Poland. This helped him confirm his participation at Tokyo Olympics.
The equestrian has decided to go with Seigneur Medicott as his equine partner in Tokyo. The horse will also be accompanied by Johanna Pohonen (Groom), Dr. Grigorios Maleas (Veterinarian), and Veronica Sinz (Physiotherapist). Fouaad will begin his campaign at the showpiece from July 29, with the eventing first horse inspection.
“At first, Fouaad picked Dajara 4 for the Olympics but in the last few grueling weeks of competing and practice, Mirza felt that Dajara 4 had undergone a lot of pressure. This prompted the change in the final entry with Seigneur Medicott for the Tokyo Olympics as the horse was moving better,” read a release.
Prior to Tokyo Olympics, Fouaad Mirza has been practicing in Bergedorf, Germany under Sandra Auffrath and spent almost 12 hours riding the horse, feeding them, taking care of them, which he believes will help him bond with them.
Fouaad was born on March 6, 1992, in Bangalore. Passion for horse riding has been in his family for eight generations. His great great grandfather was the one to set roots in India from Iran in 1824 bringing along Arab horses with him. Dr. Mirza’s grandfather was a trainer and his father was in the 61st cavalry and commanded the president’s bodyguard and played Polo for India. Likewise, Dr. Mirza is an equestrian veterinarian by profession but has a passion for riding and Polo. They have a farm spread over 1.5 acres with 12 horses in the Karnataka capital.
At the age of 6, he got a cut mark under his eyes from falling off a horse. A picture of the same is present in his father’s office which reminds his determination and passion for the sport.
As per his education, Fouaad holds degrees in Psychology and Business from England.
Fouaad Mirza is the third ever Indian equestrian to participate in the Olympics after Indrajeet Lamba in 1996 and Imtiaz Anees in 2000.