Nada Hafez, the 26-year-old Egyptian fencer, made headlines at the Paris 2024 Olympics by competing in the sabre category while seven months pregnant. Despite the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy, Hafez achieved an impressive feat, reaching the round of 16 in the tournament.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Hafez shared her journey, proudly declaring herself a “seven-month pregnant Olympian.” She expressed gratitude for overcoming the hurdles of pregnancy while striving to maintain a balance between her personal life and athletic career. “The roller coaster of pregnancy is tough on its own,” she wrote, “but the effort to compete at this level was worth every moment.”
Reflecting on her performance, Hafez emphasized her pride in reaching the round of 16, a testament to her determination and resilience. She acknowledged the support and challenges that came with competing at such a high level during pregnancy.
A medical graduate specializing in clinical pathology, Hafez defeated the American Elizabeth Tartakovsky, ranked seventh in the world, with a score of 15-13 before being eliminated in a subsequent match against Jiyoon Hyung of South Korea with a score of 15-7.
“These Olympics were different,” Hafez remarked, “three times an Olympian, but this time carrying a little Olympian!” Having previously participated in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Hafez’s participation in Paris 2024 marks a historic moment in Olympic history.
For further updates on Nada Hafez’s journey and achievements, follow her on Instagram @nadahafez.
