“You can go, but return with a medal”: How Mashail Alotaibi refused to give up archery

When Mashail Alotaibi asked her doctor if she could travel to her first international archery competition, the answer came with a condition.

“You can go,” he told her, “but you must return with a medal.”

At the time, Mashail had just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Surgery awaited her return. The fear that followed was not rooted in the illness itself, but in the possibility of losing the one thing that had given her purpose: archery.

“My biggest fear was not the illness itself, but whether I would be able to continue practicing archery,” she recalls.

Weeks later, she returned home from the Arab Women’s Clubs Championship in the United Arab Emirates with a bronze medal in the team event – and with it, a quiet confidence that she could face whatever lay ahead.

“I returned home proud of what I had achieved and fully prepared to enter the operating room, carrying not only a medal, but also strength, confidence and hope.”

For the Saudi archer, that moment marked the beginning of a journey defined not just by results, but by resilience, patience and an unshakeable belief in her craft.

Raised in Riyadh, Mashail’s interest in shooting sports began at a young age. Precision and focus appealed to her long before archery became accessible to women in Saudi Arabia.

“During a trip to Europe, I noticed an archery section, which sparked my curiosity and inspired me to learn more about the sport,” she says – a brief encounter that stayed with her long after she returned home.

In 2013, with no formal opportunities available locally, Mashail began learning about the sport through videos and independent research. She went on to complete her master’s degree and worked as a kindergarten teacher until 2017, while her interest in archery continued to grow quietly in the background.

That changed in 2018, when she officially registered with the Saudi archery federation. For the first time, she found herself surrounded by women who shared the same passion.

“When I officially registered and saw many women sharing the same interest, I felt motivated to commit fully,” she says.

She enrolled in a basic coaching course, becoming one of the first female archery coaches in her community.

“I wanted to develop myself as both an athlete and a coach,” she adds, while also beginning to pursue her own competitive career.

The announcement of the first women’s indoor archery championship proved to be the cornerstone of Mashail’s rise.

“Winning my first national gold medal at the first women’s indoor championship was the starting point of everything,” she says. “It showed me that I belonged in this sport.”

Following the victory, Mashail trained intensively six days a week, balancing her preparation alongside an administrative role at a sports organisation.

“My daily routine was demanding: I trained early in the morning, went to work, and returned to training again in the afternoon until the evening.”

Soon after, the second women’s championship was announced, this time in the outdoor format. Once again, her dedication paid off as she secured another gold medal, earning selection to represent Saudi Arabia on the international stage.

Her international journey was set to begin at the Arab Women’s Clubs Championship in the UAE when her momentum was abruptly interrupted by devastating news: a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. More than the surgery itself, what troubled her most was the possibility of missing the chance to represent her country abroad.

Determined not to let the diagnosis define her future, Mashail returned to the training field with a single focus: to earn the right to compete before surgery.

“From the moment I stepped onto the field, archery helped me disconnect from all negative thoughts,” she says.

The effort paid off. She won a bronze medal in the team event, returning home with both a podium finish and renewed belief.

Just seven days after undergoing surgery, Mashail returned to the archery field. Six months later, she faced another challenge in the form of radioactive iodine treatment, which disrupted her preparation ahead of a local women’s championship.

“Even during radioactive iodine treatment, I chose to compete.”

Despite the physical toll, she finished fourth overall, recording the highest score of the tournament.

Mashail’s international journey has since taken her across continents.

She made her world championship debut at the Yankton 2021 Hyundai World Archery Championships, competing in a high-pressure knockout format against experienced opponents, where every arrow carried consequence.

In 2023, she featured at the Asia Cup in Tashkent, followed by an appearance at the Antalya Open – one of the sport’s most competitive tournaments.

While results did not always fall in her favour, each event sharpened Mashail’s understanding of elite-level competition.

Her journey was tested once more when the cancer returned, this time during pregnancy.

Even then, Mashail continued training and competing in domestic tournaments until the 27th week, before eventually stepping away from competition to focus fully on treatment and recovery.

“Archery helped me manage my anxiety and gave me a clear goal to focus on,” she says.

She reached a career-high world ranking of 261 in May 2023 – a milestone that reflected not just her growing international presence, but also her consistency despite repeated interruptions caused by health and pregnancy.

Today, the 36-year-old has returned to training after completing her treatment, approaching the next phase of her career with patience rather than urgency.

“Five months ago, I completed my last radiation therapy session, and I’ve only recently returned to training,” she says.

After a year-long break due to treatment, Mashail chose not to enter the national team selection this season. As a result, international competition is not part of her immediate plans.

“This season, I don’t think I will be competing internationally.”

For Mashail, strength is no longer measured solely by results or rankings.

“Strength is not about winning medals,” she says. “It’s about continuing to believe in yourself, even when life presents unexpected challenges.”

To athletes facing serious illness, her message is simple:

“Don’t give up on what you love. Take care of your health, listen to your doctors, but hold on to your passion. It can be a powerful source of healing.”