In a remarkable display of resilience and dedication, Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has captured hearts and headlines alike at the Paris Olympics by competing in the women’s sabre event while seven months pregnant.
Hafez, a seasoned Olympian hailing from Cairo, made waves with her stunning performance, which included a victory, over former NCAA champion Elizabeth Tartakovsky of the United States, in the first round.
Despite eventually losing to South Korea’s Jeon Hayoung in the round of 16, Hafez’s journey resonates as a testament to strength both on and off the fencing piste.
Sharing her experience on social media, Hafez reflected on the challenges she faced, balancing the rigors of competitive sports with the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy.
“What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, & my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!” Nada Hafez wrote on Instagram, expressing pride in securing her place among the top athletes in her event.
“My baby & I had our fair share of challenges, be it both physical & emotional. The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life & sports was nothing short of strenuous, however worth it.” she added.
“I’m writing this post to say that pride fills my being for securing my place in the round of 16!” she concluded
A deeper look at Nada Hafez’s journey in the Olympics
Aged 26, Nada Hafez brings a wealth of experience and determination to her third Olympic appearance, having previously competed in Rio and Tokyo. Her journey from gymnastics to fencing, coupled with her background in medicine, underscores a multidimensional approach to sports and life.
Notably, Nada Hafez clinched gold medals in both individual and team sabre events at the 2019 African Games, solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with in international fencing.
The Paris Olympics notably introduced its first-ever nursery in the Olympic Village, offering essential amenities like private breastfeeding spaces and diaper-changing stations. This progressive step aims to support athlete mothers like Hafez, fostering an environment where they can excel in their sport while nurturing their growing families.
As she embarks on this new chapter of motherhood with her husband Ibrahim Ihab, whom she married in March 2023, In securing her best Olympic result to date, finishing 16th overall, Nada Hafez has not only etched her name in the annals of fencing history but also paved the way for future generations of athletes to embrace the possibility of combining athletic excellence with the joys of motherhood.
Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer
