The Paris 2024 Olympics are well underway and Arab atheletes are shining with outstanding performances in various sports events. Amongst, them, Egptian fencer Nada Hafez has made headlines revealing that she competed while being pregnant. At 26 years old and seven months pregnant, Hafez competed in the Paris Olympics, advancing to the round of 16 in the women’s sabre competition. This remarkable achievement, which she shared on Instagram, showcased her resilience and dedication both as an athlete and an expectant mother.
“On the podium, it wasn’t just two players — it was three! My competitor, my little baby on the way, and me!” Hafez wrote, capturing the hearts of many with her heartfelt message. The challenges of pregnancy didn’t deter her. Instead, she embraced them, pushing through to secure her place among the top 16.
In a thrilling match, Hafez defeated American world No. 10 Elizabeth Tartakovsky in the round of 32 before facing South Korea’s Jeon Hayoung. Though she didn’t advance further, her journey was nothing short of inspiring. Competing for Egypt in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, Hafez entered Paris as the 29th-ranked sabre fencer in the world and Egypt’s top competitor.
Reflecting on her experience, Hafez expressed a profound sense of pride. “This Olympics was different; three times Olympian, but this time carrying a little Olympian one!” Her journey, marked by the physical and emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy, stands as a testament to her unwavering spirit and dedication to her sport. With a background in gymnastics and a degree in medicine, Hafez continues to inspire, showing that with determination and passion, boundaries can indeed be pushed.
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