DUBAI: Zayne Merzi Sodawaterwala, a 14-year-old Indian teen from Dubai on the autism spectrum, was honored last week by senior UAE dignitaries for his record-breaking achievements in inline skating, earning widespread praise as a symbol of determination and inclusion.
In March, Zayne made history by setting a Guinness World Record as the youngest person to complete a 10km inline skate, clocking in at 40 minutes and 4 seconds. Just weeks later, he completed a 42.55km marathon on skates in just over four hours.
His achievements were recently recognized during the UAE’s celebration of International Yoga Day, which coincided with Father’s Day. Zayne was felicitated by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir, and Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza.
Zayne described the encouragement he received from Sheikh Nahyan as “a blessing” and a moment he will always cherish. He credits his success to determination and his father’s unwavering support, noting that he learned inline skating through YouTube tutorials and overcame injuries during training.
In recent months, Zayne has also received recognition from notable UAE leaders, including Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and has been lauded by Special Olympics UAE for his resilience and accomplishments.
Speaking at the event, Zayne emphasized the importance of “authentic intelligence” over artificial intelligence and called for a more inclusive world. “Every child deserves to feel that they belong, they matter, and their story is seen,” he said.
The Indian Embassy has also honored Zayne with a Diplomatic Award for his inspirational journey, while his father, Merzi, praised the encouragement as fuel for Zayne’s ambition to break more barriers and inspire others.
