Ajmal Samuel, a distinguished Pakistani athlete, entrepreneur, and Pakistan Armed Forces veteran, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first certified disabled (adaptive) paragliding pilot in Hong Kong and Asia.
Samuel, who once competed as a national-level rowing athlete for Hong Kong, undertook rigorous paragliding training in Wilderness, Western Cape, South Africa. His journey began in February 2024, driven by the aspiration to soar once again despite a life-altering spinal injury he sustained in 1987 while serving as a young army officer.
Under the tutelage of Matthew Van Zyl, a Cape Town-based paragliding instructor with expertise in training individuals with disabilities, Samuel pursued his ambition. This training phase, captured in a forthcoming documentary, signifies a breakthrough for Samuel and the broader adaptive paragliding community.
Samuel’s achievement as Van Zyl’s first adaptive student and the first disabled individual to earn a solo paragliding pilot qualification in Africa and Asia exemplifies his unwavering determination. Recently licensed, he aims to paraglide from Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, attempting a world-record jump as the first disabled pilot.
Before his injury, Samuel was an accomplished fixed-wing glider pilot in the military. Despite the adversity he faced, his passion for aviation remained undiminished. Achieving the status of a qualified adaptive paragliding pilot realizes a dream long held by Samuel, reflecting his resilience and dedication.
Samuel desired to popularize aviation sports within Hong Kong and Asia’s disabled community but was hindered by regional shortcomings in facilities and awareness. He hopes his documentary and potential world record in paragliding will enlighten and motivate the disabled community towards aviation sports.
Beyond his sporting achievements, Samuel’s story is one of overcoming significant challenges. Following a devastating accident at 21, he defied the constraints of his wheelchair, propelled by the encouragement of loved ones and a relentless spirit. Samuel has since emerged as a leading figure in the financial technology sector, founding OCTO3 Group Holdings Limited. He excels as a national-level endurance athlete, specializing in rowing, hand-cycling, and triathlons.
*Additional information was sourced from Geo News.
