Tamer Mohamed
CAIRO — Egyptian shooters have been unstoppable since 2026 started. Medal after medal, they’ve put Egypt front and center – not just across the Arab world, but on the global stage too. They keep landing on the podium, and it’s clear: Egyptian shooting isn’t just competitive – it’s thriving.
Winning start
The year kicked off in style at the Arab Shooting Championship in Riyadh, where Egypt’s national team claimed gold and bronze, setting a strong pace for the year.
Leading the charge is Azmy Mehelba, an Olympic and world champion who continues to shine on the international stage. His form has been exceptional.
In February, Egypt struck again. Mehelba clinched gold in the skeet event at the Grand Prix Championship in Qatar, just weeks after taking silver in Abu Dhabi. The national team also secured second place in skeet and third place in trap at the Grand Prix Championship in the UAE.
Recent victories are strengthening Egypt’s position as an emerging hub for international shooting competitions, according to the Egyptian Shooting Federation.
“Cairo will host two major tournaments in March and April 2026 – the 11th Africa Championship Series and the Grand Prix of Egypt – Compak Sporting Championship,” the federation said in an email responding to The Egyptian Gazette inquiry about upcoming events.
Both events will take place at the Egyptian Shooting Club in 6th of October City, known for its top-notch facilities, the federation confirmed.
“And that’s not all,” the federation noted to the same paper.
“Egypt will also host the ISSF Junior World Cup Championship from April 19–27, 2026, at Egypt International City for Olympic Games in the New Capital, welcoming athletes from over 30 countries worldwide.
“These events further strengthen Egypt’s growing reputation as a leading hub for competitive shooting,” the federation added in its email to The Gazette.
Steady nerves
And it’s not just Mehelba making waves. Egypt’s Practical Shooting Team kept the momentum going at the Arab International Practical Shooting Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Omar Shennan nabbed gold in the Standard Division, and Ahmed Gaber took bronze. These wins weren’t just about individual glory – they proved how tough and focused the whole team is, even under pressure.
At Qatar’s Lusail Shooting Complex, Mehelba stepped into a fiercely competitive field featuring 315 shooters from 38 nations, including American world champion Vincent Hancock.
Steady under pressure, the Egyptian shooter delivered in the decisive moments to secure gold – another display that highlights why he stands as a symbol of the nation’s strength in the sport.
None of this comes out of nowhere. Every medal has a backstory – training and real support from the federation.
Global hub
Staging three major championships at the same time goes beyond logistics – it’s a bold statement. Egypt’s proving it can organise, secure, and deliver world-class events.
The 11th African Championship Series runs from March 24–29, followed by the Grand Prix of Egypt from April 1–4, and then the ISSF Junior World Cup Championship from April 19–27. Together, these events highlight Egypt’s organisational excellence, technical expertise, and rising influence on the international shooting stage
About 250 top shooters from 11 countries – England, France, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, UAE, Kuwait, Libya, Latvia, South Africa, and, of course, Egypt – are coming together not just to compete, but to train, swap stories, and soak up the city.
Medal haul
On the international stage, Egyptian shooting continued its meteoric rise at last November’s World Shooting Championships (pistol and rifle), where the national team racked up eight medals.
The medal run began in the Target Sprint – Mixed Team event, where Egyptian duo Wafaa Hamed and Ahmed Attia brought home bronze against the best in the world. Germany took gold and silver, but Egypt shared the podium.
In the Target Sprint – Mixed Doubles Juniors, Dalia Sabah and Omar Salem snagged silver, showing off their teamwork and grit.
The Egyptian team continued its medal surge in the Target Sprint – Mixed Teams event, achieving a remarkable double podium finish.
The trio of Wafaa Hamed, Ahmed Ziada, and Ahmed Attia grabbed silver, while the team of Sama Ahmed Afifi, Qassem Obeid, and Ahmed Dargham fought hard for bronze.
Maggie triumphs
And then there’s Maggie Ashmawy. She made waves at the Trap Shooting World Cup in Greece, finishing sixth among 73 of the world’s top shooters.
Impressive? Absolutely – but she didn’t stop there. Her score of 125 out of 118 shattered both the Egyptian and African records, setting a new milestone for Egyptian shooting.
This wasn’t just a personal victory. Ashmawy’s performance boosted her world ranking and sent a clear message: Egyptian shooters are rising. They’re tougher, more competitive, and ready to stand toe-to-toe with anyone. With the team firing on all cylinders, 2026 is shaping up to be a year to remember.
