There were many special moments in the locals sports field in 2023.
The Egyptian Mail lists some of these moments here:
Al-Ahly bags bronze in Club World Cup
Egyptian giants Al-Ahly achieved a great achievement by winning the bronze medal in the FIFA Club World CupÅ2023 in Saudi Arabia this month.
Al-Ahly triumph in FIFA Club World Cup play-off for third place following a six-goal thriller against Asian champions Urawa Reds of Japan in the play-off for third place at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.
The win marks a notable achievement for Al-Ahly, marking the fourth time the team has clinched a top-three finish in the tournament, following their previous successes in 2006, 2020, and 2021.
Egypt wins WSF World Team Championship
Egypt has won their third consecutive WSF Men’s World Squash Team Championship after a thrilling contest with England in the final in Tauranga earlier this month.
That win for Egypt, a high-quality affair clinched by World No.4 Mostafa Asal and World No.1 Ali Farag, was also their third consecutive victory over England in a final, and the fifth final in a row to feature two of the modern game’s great rivals.
Going into his match with World No.8 Marwan el-Shorbagy, questions had been raised about the fitness of 22-year-old Asal, with the former World No.1 a surprise omission from the semi-final victory over Switzerland.
Egypt wins gold at Pentathlon Junior Worlds
Egypt has grabbed the gold medal at the Women’s Modern Pentathlon Junior World Championships hosted by Lithuania last September.
With four finishers in the top 10, Egypt took home the Women’s Team gold medal, joined on the podium by Poland (silver) and Germany (bronze).
The Pharaohs ended up first with 4,070 points, followed by Poland with 4,007, and Germany with 3,964 points.
Al-Ahly claims 11th CAF Champions League title
Egyptian giants Al-Ahly sealed a record-extending 11th CAF Champions League title when they beat Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in the CAF Champions League final last June in Casablanca.
The Cairo club pocketed a record four million dollars for winning and coach Marcel Koller became the first Swiss coach to win the premier African club competition.
It was the third CAF Champions League triumph in four seasons for Ahly after victories over fellow Egyptians Zamalek in 2020 and Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa the following year.
Egypt grabs U-17 African Nations Volleyball title
Egypt’s Girls U-17 national team won the 2023 African Nations Volleyball Championship, scoring 3-1 in the final match that was held in the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria earlier this month.
Egypt defeated Nigeria 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 25-21) in the three rounds.
Egypt was also qualified to the upcoming World Championship 2024 after this win.
To emerge champions, Egypt proved a tough nut to crack for Cameroon and Nigeria, winning all the three matches in the competition.
Egypt defeated Nigeria twice and defeated Cameroon in their second game. Having defeated Nigeria in the first match, Egypt stunned Cameroon 3-2 (23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 22-25, 15-13) in the second game to qualify for the final.
Zakaria makes history in Los Angeles
Mohamad Zakaria has made history in Los Angeles, claiming the World Los Angeles Squash Open to become the youngest ever male winner on the PSA Tour.
The Egyptian, who only turned 16 just over a month ago, showcased his glowing potential in the bright lights of California, producing a stunning comeback to beat home favourite Andrew Douglas of the United States 3-2 last October.
Just a few weeks ago, Zakaria finished runner-up in the World Junior Championship as a 15-year-old, and followed that up with a run to the semi-finals of the St Louis Open 2023.
Gaber takes gold at Veterans Wrestling Worlds
Egyptian wrestler Karam Gaber stole the show at the World Veterans Championships in Greece last October.
Gaber, 44, claimed the gold medal in the Greco-Roman wrestling in the 88-kg weight category.
The Olympic champion of 2004 in Athens won another gold in Greece, 19 years later! But he did it in style, after beating Yessentay Khapar of Kazakhstan by superiority.
Al-Ahly Club of the Year at CAF Awards
Reigning champions of the CAF Champions League, Al-Ahly was awarded the Club of the Year award at CAF Awards 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco.
After lifting their record 11th CAF Champions League title, which was accompanied by being Egyptian Premier League and Egyptian Cup champions, Africa’s most successful football was duly rewarded by CAF for their continued excellence in flying the Africa football flag high.
The last time Al Ahly won the accolade was exactly a decade ago when they won it in 2013.
Hania snatches HK Squash title
Egyptian squash star Hania el-Hammamy emerged as women’s champion at the 2023 Hong Kong Squash Open after beating Amanda Sobhy of the United States in the tournament’s final game this month.
El-Hammamy retained her crown in circumstances she wouldn’t have wanted after Sobhy was forced to retire in the first game due to injury.
The score was locked at 5-5 when the US No.1 went down and was unable to continue.
Hala shoots gold at African Championships
Egypt’s national shooting team player Hala Gohari claimed the gold medal at the African Shooting Championships held in Egypt last October, qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Egyptian athlete succeeded in qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, after winning the first place in the 10-metre air rifle competition.
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