SBIHI Mohamed

General
LOCKDOWN RECORD RECLAIMED
During the COVID-19 restrictions in May 2020, fellow British rower Thomas George broke Sbihi's indoor 2km British record, with George's time of 05:39.6 making him the first British rower to break the 05:40 barrier. Sbihi later reclaimed the record, clocking 05:39.4 in July 2020. "Tom and I push each other on and he's a big inspiration to me. My decision to try it wasn't a kneejerk reaction to [Tom's] result. I've seen lockdown as a great opportunity to push myself on the ergo. It gives us confidence in the programme, confidence in our teammates and ourselves but now we need to transfer that onto the water." (eurosport.com, 30 Jul 2020; britishrowing.org, 19 Jun 2020)

TOKYO TOUGHER THAN RIO
In 2019 he said he did not feel as strong as he did prior to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he won a gold medal. He said that while some of his teammates from 2016 had left the sport, he decided to continue on and therefore felt he had something to prove at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. "Physically I don't feel I'm where I was four years ago [in 2015]. I sit on the ergo sometimes and I'm looking across to someone I'd have on toast for breakfast back then, but now I'm struggling to beat them. It's so psychological. Four years ago, I felt like I was floating on air. Now, I don't feel I'm top dog any more. What's changed most is the fact I won [Olympic gold] last time round [in 2016]. Training is a constant battle. When you don't have what you want you give everything in that battle. But now, when the going gets tough and you're hurting and the brain makes you question what on earth you are doing, that excuse is always there - well, I've got a [Olympic] gold, do I need this? A lot of my fellow [2016 Olympic] medallists have moved on. They achieved what they set out to achieve in Rio, now they are embarked on a different course. I decided to stay on. So this is my new motivation [for Tokyo 2020]. I want to feel I made the right choice." (telegraph.co.uk, 24 Jul 2019)

SPORT AND SPIRITUALITY
He says he feels a responsibility to be a positive role model for members of his faith. He says he does not fast during Ramadan when it occurs during the racing season, instead making up for it in the later months of the year. "I feel like I am an ambassador for rowing and for my faith. I feel I have a responsibility to show that I am a good person and we are a religion of peace. After London 2012 I was thinking that I was getting too involved in discussing it so I took a year out talking about it until I had won a gold medal, which happened at the world championships of 2013. If I don't fast when Ramadan is on, I delay it to the winter months where I can train and fast. It is a challenge that I love to do and I push my physical and mental limits during this month. I am just as strong as I am when not fasting and have got personal bests during this period. I always tell people to try it - not for one day but for at least five days, no food or drink during daylight hours. Try training and see what your mind and body does." (dailymail.co.uk, 03 Aug 2018; worldrowing.com, 01 May 2017)

FAMILY HERITAGE
He was born to a Moroccan father and an English mother. His father was a barber who moved from Morocco to Surbiton, England. (dailymail.co.uk, 03 Mar 2011)