Gulf nations Hungary for success

She once frequently competed in women's doubles with her sister, but both siblings, unfortunately, sustained injuries during training, preventing them from reaching the required intensity of competitive tennis.

Their introduction to curling came through Belleli who encouraged them to try the sport, a gentler alternative.

Soon enough, they fell in love with it.

"Curling means a lot to me. It has brought me more friends. I enjoy talking with people, and it has taken me to various places around the world," she said.

Belleli has built Qatar's curling program from the ground up.

"It's a game that requires composure, skill, power, communication, psychology and team chemistry," he explained.

Having dabbled in various sports such as basketball, soccer, gymnastics and handball, when asked if curling stood out as the most special sport for him, the six-time Hungarian champion — and his nation's 2010 Curler of the Year — was in no doubt, quickly responding: "By far, yes."

Contact the writer at xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn