As the Tokyo Olympics come to a close, Egypt leaves with one gold medal, one silver, and four bronze, rendering this round of the Olympics the most successful for Egypt as far as number of medals go. Egyptian athletes had won a total five medals in each of the 1936, 1948 and 2004 games, whereas those of 1936 and 1948 counted two gold medals each for Egypt.
This year in Tokyo, Ferial Abdelaziz won the gold in the women’s kumite karate (+61 kg), Egypt’s first gold since the 2004 Games; Abdelaziz is the first Egyptian woman ever to win a gold. Ahmed Elgendy won the silver in the Men’s Pentathlon, becoming the first African to achieve such a win. The four bronze medals were won by Giana Farouk in Karate kumite 61kg; Mohamed ‘Kesho’ Elsayed in Men’s Greco-Roman wrestling 67kg; and Hedaya Malak and Seif Eissa in Taekwondo.
Egypt’s handball team made a strong showing at the games, narrowly losing the bronze to France by 33 – 31, and finishing fourth.
President Sisi congratulated Ms Abdelaziz for her gold medal, writing on his Twitter account that her achievement has made him and all Egyptians proud and had raised high the name of Egypt.
The President also commended the performance of Egypt’s handball team, tweeting that despite their defeat, the players were role models of determination and strength till the last moment in the game. “Egypt is proud of your great achievement, powerful resolve, and heroic performance … You have honoured us and given us joy.”
Reporting by Nash’at Abul-Kheir, Antoun Milad, Nader Shukry, Sheri Abdelaziz-Massih
Watani International
8 August 2021