CAIRO – Egypt underlined its dominance in Arab aquatics, storming the 4th Arab Aquatics Games in Morocco with 173 medals — 94 gold, 53 silver and 26 bronze — to seize the overall crown.
The Pharaohs’ rising stars dominated across every category, clinching six team cups — three for boys and three for girls — in the 13–14, 15–16, and 17–18 age groups, showcasing unmatched depth and continuity.
Egypt sealed the title with a day to spare, then underlined their supremacy with a resounding 24–1 thrashing of Saudi Arabia in U16 water polo, showcasing dominance across every aquatic discipline.
Rising stars
The wave of triumph began with the under-14s. In the boys’ 100m freestyle, Marwan Mahmoud surged ahead in the final stretch, the crowd rising to their feet as his fingertips struck the wall first. Moments later, Hagar Ahmed mirrored his success in the girls’ race, her victory punctuated by the cheers of teammates waving flags poolside.
Their relay squads added fireworks, streaking through the water in near-perfect synchronicity, to the delight of Egyptian fans.
The middle juniors took the baton and sprinted further. Ziad Al-Ashry was electric, claiming gold in both the 100m freestyle and the 50m backstroke, backed by silvers from teammates Zain Akram and Anas Mohamed and ensuring Egypt’s anthem became the soundtrack of the championship. Each ceremony added to the sense of inevitability — the Pharaohs were in full control.
Seniors seal crown
When the spotlight shifted to the 17–18 category, Egypt’s command became absolute. Mohamed Ayman and Muhannad Yasser powered to a gold-silver double in the 100m freestyle, while Farouk Al-Jadaily and Salem Ahmed controlled the medley events.
On the women’s side, Hala Omar emerged as the undisputed queen of freestyle and backstroke, her golden double sealing her place among the championship’s brightest stars.
Leadership and applause
The dominance did not go unnoticed. Poolside, Yasser Edris, President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee and the Swimming Federation, beamed with pride, posing for photos with medallists who looked every bit like heirs to Egypt’s aquatic throne.
From Cairo, Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy praised the achievement as “a golden chapter in the story of Egyptian sport,” adding that his ministry would continue backing the system that produced such champions.
A golden legacy
As the closing ceremony unfolded, Egyptian swimmers lined the podiums, their arms raised as the national anthem rang out one more time under the Moroccan night sky. Six glittering cups gleamed before them, reflecting the lights and pride of a nation.
In those final moments, it wasn’t just about medals or numbers. It was about a statement — that Egypt’s swimmers are not merely participants in Arab sport. They are its rulers, its standard-bearers, its living legacy.
African champions
Just weeks earlier, Egypt had also reaffirmed its might on the continental stage at the African Swimming Championship in Cairo.
Against 243 athletes representing 32 countries, the juniors delivered a commanding performance, collecting 30 medals in total — 9 gold, 11 silver, and 10 bronze — to comfortably top the standings. South Africa finished runners-up with 18 medals, underlining Egypt’s dominance and sustained leadership in continental competition.
The championship brought together swimmers from across the continent, including Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Comoros, Eritrea, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, alongside hosts Egypt.
The result stretched Egypt’s remarkable run of podium finishes that dates back to 1999, consolidating their place as Africa’s aquatic powerhouse. From Arab pools to African waters, the Pharaohs are not merely keeping pace — they are commanding the sport’s future.
