From Gaza
to Sweden
The journey of Ahmed Matar, a Palestinian parkour athlete who turned his passion for movement into a life beyond borders.
Where It All Started
Ahmed Matar, known as “Matar,” is a Palestinian parkour athlete from the Gaza Strip, born on March 19, 1996.
At the age of nine, Matar discovered parkour after watching two young men, Mohamed AlJakhbir and Abdallah Inshasi, practicing flips near his martial arts training. Inspired by their movements, he decided to try the sport, a decision that would shape his life.
“Parkour feels like flying. Even in Gaza, it gave me a rare sense of freedom. When I train, all my worries disappear. My only focus is landing the next jump or mastering a new trick. Parkour became more than a sport, it became a way of life.”Ahmed Matar
Growing Up in Gaza
Since discovering parkour, the sport has been at the center of Matar’s life. He spent countless hours training with his team, learning new skills and pushing his limits. His family often worried about his safety, knowing the risks involved, especially in Gaza.
With no dedicated training facilities, the team practiced wherever they could, including cemeteries and the ruins of damaged buildings. They also faced restrictions from local authorities, who often misunderstood the sport.
Despite the challenges of war, destruction, and everyday life in Gaza, Matar and his team remained committed to their passion. Together, they helped build a parkour community that continues to inspire others.
The Journey
Since childhood, Matar dreamed of traveling beyond Gaza. He began sharing videos of his parkour training on Facebook, where they quickly gained international attention.
As his videos reached a global audience, he and his PK Gaza team received invitations to perform abroad, including an invitation to Arabs Got Talent. Unfortunately, travel restrictions prevented them from attending.
Matar was also invited to compete in the Red Bull Challenge in China. Although he had secured his visa, the border closure prevented him from making the trip.
In 2016, the World Freerunning Parkour Federation invited him to compete in the WFPF Challenge in the United States, but obtaining permission to leave Gaza was another obstacle. He also received invitations from Italy’s Krap Gym, while visa applications were repeatedly denied.
Despite gaining recognition internationally, reaching the global stage remained difficult.
The Dream Became Reality
In October 2016, Matar’s journey took a turn when he applied for a visa to Sweden. Marcus Zykren from Air Wipp Academy had invited him to participate in the Air Wipp Challenge. With support from friends in Sweden, he received his visa after just two weeks.
However, the Rafah crossing was closed, leaving him uncertain whether he could leave Gaza. When the crossing unexpectedly reopened, he joined a list of more than 30,000 travelers waiting to pass through. After contacting local sports officials and explaining his situation, he received a special pass allowing him to travel.
Arriving in Egypt brought another challenge: his Swedish visa was not yet valid. He spent a difficult week confined at the airport, separated from his belongings and unable to communicate freely.
Finally, he boarded his first flight. His lifelong dream of traveling beyond Gaza was becoming reality.
A New Life in Sweden
Arriving in Sweden, Matar went straight to the Air Wipp Challenge. There, he met talented athletes and reunited with friends from PK Gaza, including Mohamed AlJakhbir, Mohamed Zaqout, and Abdallah Inshasi. After the competition, he traveled to Italy with the help of friends, fulfilling another long-held dream.
Everything was changing quickly. “Every day feels like a dream,” he said as he reflected on his new life. Although he had originally come to Sweden for a competition, he realized that staying could allow him to build a future in parkour. It was not an easy decision. Remaining abroad meant being separated from his family in Gaza.
In Sweden, opportunities began to open up. He started teaching parkour workshops across the country, including Gothenburg. Competitions and collaborations with brands such as Volvo and Red Bull helped him establish his new life. He eventually received an offer to work full-time with a Swedish company, visiting schools around Stockholm and inspiring students through parkour.
Teaching came naturally to Matar. As a self-taught athlete, he was amazed to see his students learning in months what had taken him years to master. “Here, I can work, I can train in a safe place, and I can travel freely,” he said.
Despite the distance from his family, Matar continues to believe that nothing is impossible.
“I risk my life to know how far I can go”
Discover more of Ahmed Matar’s journey through parkour.
The Journey Continues
Parkour is more than movement. It is freedom, possibility, and the courage to keep going.
Explore more