Egypt has once again cemented its status as an international finswimming powerhouse.
This came after a display of skill and determination at the Arab and African Finswimming Championships which concluded recently in Tunisia.
The Egyptian national team delivered a performance that was described by many commentators as a “master class”in aquatic dominance.
The same performance left no doubt about the nation’s supremacy in the sport, commentators said.
The Arab and African Finswimming Championships are a top-tier event for this sport in the region. They are organized under the umbrella of the international Confederation of Subaquatic Activities. Widely known by its acronym, CMAS, the confederation is the global governing body for underwater sports.
The championships bring together the best finswimmersfrom across Africa and the Arab world. They feature a variety of events in both short and long distances, including surface finswimming, bi-fins, and apnea(underwater) competitions, in both indoor pools and open water.
Held last week, the Tunisia edition of the championships was a resounding success for the Egyptian squad which claimed 67 medals.
This impressive haul included 37 gold medals, 21 silvermedals, and 9 bronze ones. They secured a well-deserved first-place finish in both the Arab and African events.
Sports commentators described this victory as a “testament” to the dedication of the Egyptian athletes, the expertise of the coaching staff of the Egyptian squad, and the strategic support given to them all by the government.
Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi extended congratulations to President of the Egyptian Diving and Rescue Federation Sameh el-Shazly.
The achievements of the team, he said, were made possible by the State’s investment in sports and the nation’s athletes.
“These victories reaffirm Egypt’s capacity to excel on the global stage,” the minister said.
The championships also served as a stage for individual brilliance, with two Egyptian athletes earning top honours.
Ahmed Hesham, with his stellar performance, was recognized as the Best Swimmer at the African Championship, a fitting tribute to his remarkable talent.
On the Arab front, champion Farida Farag was awarded the Best Swimmer Award, underscoring her exceptional skill and contribution to the team’s success.
These individual accolades not only celebrated the athletes’ personal accomplishments but also further solidified Egypt’s strength in the sport.
Egypt solidified its position in this sport over the years. The 2023 championships, held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, saw the Egyptian team claim an impressive 28 medals in both the Arab and African competitions, with a significant number of gold medals.
This consistent success was not only scored in team events but also in individual achievements, with Egyptian athletes setting new Arab and African records.
Just this year, finswimmer Mohab Ehab Helmy set a new Arab and African record in the 800m surface event, demonstrating the individual brilliance that complements the team’s collective strength.
The Egyptian national team’s performance in Tunisia is the latest episode in a history of finswimming success.
Commentators described the team’s consistent medal-winning performances at both continental and international levels as a “source of national pride”.
With a strong reserve of talent and dedicated leadership, Egypt is poised to continue its dominance in the sport for years to come.
The victory in Tunisia is a powerful statement, sending a clear message to the finswimming community that Egypt’s reign at the top is far from over.
