Dorra Mahfoudhi is a 27-year-old Tunisian African pole vault Champion. She’s continuing her training during the coronavirus lockdown and still finds time to help out as a volunteer doctor.

Dorra is a former gymnastics champion. Her family moved to the capital city Tunis when she was 15. That's when she fell in love with this sport discipline. Learning to vault was hard and winning domestic, regional and continental tournaments was even harder for the young champion.She talked to CGTN's Adnen Chaouachi.

"I've been to many competitions. I won Arab championships and many African  championships from the Juniors to seniors. The last one was last year in August. It was the African games in Morocco. In this competition, I did my best with 4,31m. it's the national record.”

Ayed Berhayem is the national coach of the pole Vault Team. He's trained hundreds of Tunisian champions. He says that working during the period of the general lockdown is the most challenging experience in his 30-year career.

"The confinement and the lockdown have complicated the training of our champion. The easing of restrictions has allowed us to return to the training. We're adapting the exercises to this natural environment. Champions must cope with challenges”

In addition to her successful sporting career, Dorra is also a brilliant 5th year medical student. She pursues her studies at the prestigious faculty of medicine. She's also volunteering with the emergency units of the COVID-19 task force.

"Before the corona-crisis, I was dedicating all my time to my sports career. I was trying to qualify to the Tokyo Olympic Games. We analyze samples from people suspected with the coronavirus disease. The Thing  that helped me here which I took from my athletics career as a professional one is stress management. Like I can deal in big competitions with everything and manage my stress and in medical emergencies.”

After a long day at the emergency services, the Tunisian athlete finds refuge in the forest of Rades, South of the capital city Tunis. This is where she trains and manages stress.

Dorra Mahfoudhi has recently helped a woman give birth at home during the general lockdown. The talented lady has become an icon in the North African country. The Tunisian champion will continue saving lives as a medical worker, with focus on the Tokyo Olympics.