Karwan Halabi, a 29-year-old from Usfiya, a Druze village in northern Israel, is a biomedical engineer working as a research and development support specialist at Ossio, a medical equipment company.
She is also Israel's champion in various long-distance running events, married, and a participant in the series "Diary of a Sportswoman" (directed by Suha Araf), which focuses on female athletes from the Arab sector.
"A few weeks ago, while competing in a 2,000-meter steeplechase in Germany, I collided with a hurdle and fell hard on my head and side. I got up feeling a bit dizzy but continued running and managed to overtake a few runners. Although I didn't achieve a high result, I was proud of myself for not giving up."
"My list of achievements in long-distance running is diverse. I am Israel's 2024 women's champion in the 5,000 meters and the runner-up in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase. Previously, I was Israel's women's champion in cross-country runs, mountain runs for 10 and 5 kilometers, and the runner-up in the women's 1,000 meters. I am the first in the Druze sector to reach these titles, all while pursuing a bachelor's and master's degree with a thesis in medical engineering at the Technion."
Early life
"I was born the fourth of five children in Daliyat al-Karmel. My father was a commander in the Border Police and is now a pensioner and social activist, while my mother is a homemaker. Initially, I studied at a religious school in the village, wearing traditional attire and a head covering. In fourth grade, I moved to a regular public school, where short sleeves and jeans were the norm. I am traditional but not religious.
"My parents realized I was serious and have supported me ever since. I also receive mostly positive feedback from the village community. Very few people have expressed surprise or opposition, but my parents give me unwavering support."
"In middle school, after achieving good results in school running competitions, I decided to train in running. I started running on a treadmill at home because it wasn't customary for a girl to run alone in the village. Eventually, I grew bored of the treadmill and began running on the main road and later in Muhraka and Carmel View. I ran with a phone and sometimes with pepper spray, just in case.
"At 19, when I started studying at the Technion, I stopped running for six months, channeling my motivation into my studies. However, the Technion requires students to take two sports courses. I chose self-defense and long-distance running. In 2015, during the second semester of my first year, the first Technion race took place. I started training a month before the race and finished fourth. When coach Elia Reiter evaluated me and decided to recruit me to the team, I was thrilled. When I told my father, he was happy but worried it might interfere with my studies. I promised it wouldn't, and I kept that promise. I sacrificed sleep and social life, but my studies didn't suffer. On the contrary.
"Throughout my studies, I participated in the university and college league in Israel (ASA), and at some point, I moved to coach Gil Loten, who pushed me to the Israeli championship in the 10 km road race in 2018. It wasn't easy. There were over 300 women, it was very hot, and the race was tough. Thanks to a result of 37:12 minutes, I received my first gold medal. I have won more than ten medals – gold, silver, and bronze. There were also many failures, but I never gave up.
Support and inspiration
"My parents understood my seriousness and have supported me ever since. The village community also mostly responds positively. Very few people have expressed doubt or opposition, but my parents give me unwavering support. Since 2022, I have been a spokesperson for Saucony, and recently a series featuring me was aired on the public broadcasting corporation.
"I was single until relatively late. I took my time because I wanted to find the right person for me and also to establish myself a bit in life. I met my husband, Bashar Kablani, a software engineer from Beit Jann, thanks to one of his students who admired me. He wanted to surprise her, invited me to an education conference, and introduced us. Today, she trains with me at the Maccabi Haifa-Carmel club. The conference was also an opportunity for us to meet and start a friendship that grew stronger over time. We got married last May, have a house in Beit Jann, but chose to live in Usfiya because it’s close to Haifa, where I train, and my workplace in Caesarea.
"Currently, I work part-time and train 10-11 times a week with coach Aharon Shabtai. Some days I train in the morning before work and in the evening after work. I am currently ranked 38th in Europe. One of the things that make me happiest is when young women approach me for advice on balancing studies and demanding sports. When I started, I was one of the few in the Druze sector engaged in professional sports. In recent years, women's running groups have formed, and I often hear that I serve as a role model. It warms my heart."
Bottom line? "Don't be afraid, dare! If you fall – get up and keep trying until you succeed."