ANOC Commission member Sheikha Asma Al Thani becomes first Arab woman and first Qatari to conquer Explorers Grand Slam
ANOC Marketing Commission member and Qatar Olympic Committee Marketing Director Sheikha Asma Al Thani made history as the first Arab woman and first Qatari to complete the Explorers Grand Slam – climbing the Seven Summits and reaching both the North and South Poles – in her mission to inspire future generations to dream big and pursue their passions.
On 11 October, Sheikha Asma reached the summit of Carstensz Pyramid (4,884 metres) in Indonesia, marking the final challenge in her quest to complete the Explorers Grand Slam. Her journey to the world’s tallest mountains has been driven by her mission to inspire others to dream big, challenge gender stereotypes and unlock their potential.
“By achieving this, I hope to inspire future generations across the region and beyond to dream big and push beyond boundaries,” said Sheikha Asma. “Completing the Explorers Grand Slam is not just about the mountains I’ve climbed, but the barriers I’ve broken and proving that persistence can conquer any challenge.
“These achievements are not just personal milestones, they are about showing the younger generation that dreams are worth pursuing, no matter how impossible they may seem. I hope I can inspire them to believe in themselves, to push their limits, and to know that with persistence and determination, they can achieve greatness.”
Sheikha Asma’s journey to dizzying heights began over a decade ago after summitting Kilimanjaro in 2014. It is here that Sheikha Asma’s passion for mountaineering was ignited and her dream to conquer the Explorer’s Grand Slam took shape.
Sheikha Asma commented: “In 2013, I found a letter that I had written to myself at the age of 14. I was overwhelmed by the power of writing my dreams down and felt a deep desire to accomplish more for the young girl I once was. Climbing a mountain became the next step, leading me to pursue my first summit of Kilimanjaro in 2014. I truly hope that my journey inspires future generations and proves that the impossible is possible when you move forward with determination, conviction and passion.
Throughout her journey, Sheikha Asma has continuously made history, breaking barriers with every step. In 2018, she became the first Qatari to ski the North Pole (Last Degree) and did so alongside a diverse group of women to promote understanding between the Middle East and the West. Later, in 2022, she became the first Arab woman to ski the South Pole (Last Degree).
In 2019 and 2021, she became the first Qatari woman to summit Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, and Vinson, respectively. Sheikha Asma also scaled Europe’s tallest mountain, Mount Elbrus, in 2021. In 2022, she conquered both Mount Everest and Denali, becoming the first Qatari woman to achieve these feats.
Looking ahead, Sheikha Asma has set her sights on climbing the world’s 14 highest peaks – known as the eight-thousanders – in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges. She has already completed seven of these peaks: Manaslu without supplemental oxygen and Dhaulagiri in 2021, Everest, Kanchenjunga and K2 in 2022, Annapurna in 2023, and Lhotse without supplemental oxygen in 2024
