“The four years for me is a life, really, ended by the Games. Good or bad, ended by the Games. After the Games you start again. You are born as a new human,” Osman shared with Olympics.com. He has experienced this rebirth four times already and aims for more. Osman has committed to winning six gold medals at the Paralympic Games, a feat unmatched in his sport. This ambitious goal comes with challenges and sacrifices, but Osman believes it keeps him young.

Starting Para powerlifting at 18, he clinched his first Paralympic gold in the 56kg class at Beijing 2008, defended his title in London 2012, and set a world record with a 203kg lift for his third gold in Rio 2016. Yet, when he returned to Egypt, he followed a tradition advised by his first coach, Said Abdelhafez, “Hey Sherif, when you get back from any competition... just remove your medal. Put it in your pocket. I did nothing. I want to do it again.” Osman gives all his medals to his mother.

At the airport, his hair is freshly shaved, and his bag is lighter. He donates the clothes and shoes worn in the final training session to the family and keeps only memorabilia like volunteer shirts or backpacks. As he prepares for the next competition, Osman equips himself with a new kit, ready to pursue his next goal.

Osman’s journey has been remarkable since his international debut in 2006, but his golden streak was interrupted at the Tokyo Games. Suffering an injury just two months prior, he finished second in the men’s 59kg, lifting the same weight as gold medalist Qi Yongkai of China but losing due to a lower body weight. 

Osman was in tears as he received his silver medal: “I have not one photo from Tokyo with no crying. The journalists in Egypt asked me a lot, 'Why are you crying all the time?'" After the event, he spoke to himself in the mirror: “You lost one round, but you never lost the war. The war is still going. Go. Continue. Fight, fight, fight." Despite the setback, Osman remains resolute, aiming for six medals. “It keeps me motivated all the time. I am fighting for the number six, I will keep trying, trying, trying.”

Missing gold in Tokyo means Osman may need to compete until Brisbane 2032 to reach his goal. The journey between Paralympic Games is gruelling; he must stay ranked in the world’s top eight while balancing training, family, and the risk of injuries. His daily training camp routine is demanding, but Osman emphasises the importance of his family’s support, even amid the sacrifices.

As he approaches Paris 2024, Osman embraces his transformation as a "new athlete" with a fresh outlook and a new haircut. “Every Paralympic Games I have a different look... It's for change,” he noted. Beyond Paris, Los Angeles 2028, and Brisbane 2032, he is preparing for life after competition by taking courses to become a technical official.

Osman has even more ambitious aspirations, “One time I posted a photo... and I wrote, 'One time I will enter this building as an IPC president.' I showed this photo to IPC President Andrew Parsons. I told him, 'Look!'. 'Ah, you are fighting with me!' 'Yes, I will fight with you.' This is life. You cannot stay in one role."