The Syrian refugee helping Aussies chase glory at Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic Games

One day, Zakhour arrived at TAFE, where he had enrolled to learn English. She sat down at one of the tables and was shocked to see her old friend Linda sitting next to her. He was making Linda’s prosthetic arms in Damascus, but he hadn’t seen her in the five years since the war started, as she too had fled to save her family.

“I met him when I came to Australia,” Zakhour said. “It’s not just Australia, Sydney, Blacktown or TAFE [but in the] same class [at the] same table.”

He told her about his new prosthetist at Northmead ForMotion Clinic in Sydney (then known as APC prosthodontists) and told him to come with him to his next appointment. There, Linda introduced Zakhour to the technicians, and Zakhour told them about his career in Syria.

“I’m coming to a new country, a new life, everything, but please I love the job. I’m happy just cleaning, just let me clean the workshop,” Zakhour remembers thinking.

The clinic gave Zakhour a trial. Even though it was only supposed to last a few hours, he was asked to stay longer.

“I prayed about it,” he said as he walked back to the workshop. “I smelled the chemical” [it] it smelled [like] House.”

Soon his three-month contract turned into a permanent position.

“He pretty much runs this tech shop,” said prosthodontist clinician George Maimoun. “He’s got all the experience. The whole place he first worked didn’t have a lot of tools or materials or anything, so they made it work. Everything is here.” [his brain] for him.”

Zakhour, now an Australian citizen and affectionately known as “Sammy” in the workshop, creates the prosthetics used by many members of the Australian Winter Paralympic team. It all started with para-biathlete Dave Miln, then spread to teammate Matt Brumby and finally Lauren Parker.

Each athlete has different requirements, but all are competing in biathlon, which includes cross-country skiing and target shooting, at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics. They became the first Australians to qualify for the competition in 20 years.

To create the prosthetics, Zakhour creates a mold around the athlete’s shape using a bean bag filled with vacuum-sealed styrofoam balls. Prosthetics need to strike a balance to ensure they are strong enough to be light but safe for racing; This is creative work that involves solving problems.

“When I go to bed, ideas start coming,” he said.

Zakhour’s background in conflict zones means he can work quickly and under pressure. This experience comes in handy when Zakhour has to make athletes’ prosthetics during short periods between international competitions. According to Parker, Zakhour had 10 days to secure his seat at the Games.

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“It looks good on me,” Parker said. “I was a little worried because I hadn’t ridden in the snow until I came to Canada. Either way, I had to race in it, whether it didn’t fit me perfectly or if it fit me perfectly, so I’m lucky that I feel really comfortable in it.”

Zakhour watches videos of Parker skiing in Canada on Instagram and points out Milan’s photo on Paralympic Australia posters when he goes to stores with his wife. Although he is not a long-time citizen, Zakhour’s prosthetics will give Australia a chance to reach the podium at the Games.

“I love making regular prosthetics, but this one is special,” Zakhour said. “Nothing is impossible for us. We can help anyone who wants to do something.”

The Winter Paralympics are broadcast on Nine Network, 9Now and Stan Sport.