We’re proud to announce that Amel Younis from Quality Control is Gentle Giant’s Athlete of the Month for November!
Amel is a rower who is wrapping up an incredible racing season. In September, he competed in the World Rowing Championships, representing Palestine in the lightweight men’s single. He was only the second Palestinian ever to compete in the event and took immense pride in representing his people on the world stage.
Amel’s father, Nadal, is a refugee who moved to the United States as a child. While Amel grew up in the U.S., his experience growing up Palestinian in Worcester shaped how he thinks about the importance of representation. He remembers not seeing the Palestinian flag displayed among the others in his public high school’s gymnasium or cafeteria and rarely seeing Arab role models celebrated in sports or mainstream media.
For Amel, representing Palestine at the World Championships was both a blessing and a responsibility, and he describes it as the most meaningful race of his life so far.
After returning home to Boston, Amel teamed up with a good friend to compete in the men’s lightweight championship double at the Head of the Charles Regatta. Despite challenging conditions, including a collision with another boat, the pair went on to win their event.
Among the most important lessons Amel has learned through rowing are discipline and the ability to focus on what is within his control rather than what isn’t. Those skills came in handy during his race at the Head of the Charles and continue to serve him well in his role as a Quality Control representative at Gentle Giant, where he’s been called “an absolute rockstar” at handling claims.
We’re incredibly happy to see Amel excelling in rowing, proud to have him as part of the Gentle Giant team, and excited to recognize his accomplishments as our Athlete of the Month for November.