Egyptian Fencer Competes at Paris Olympics While Seven Months Pregnant

Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez made headlines at the Paris Olympics on Monday by competing in the women’s individual sabre competition while seven months pregnant. The 26-year-old athlete, who was appearing in her third Olympics, won her first match before being knocked out in the last 16.

In an inspiring Instagram post, Hafez shared, “What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, and my yet-to-come to our world little baby!” Her pride was evident as she expressed joy in taking to the piste while expecting.

Hailing from Cairo, Hafez triumphed over Elizabeth Tartakovsky of the United States with a score of 15-13 in her opening match. However, she faced a tough opponent in Jeon Hayoung of South Korea and lost 15-7 at the iconic Grand Palais in Paris.

Hafez described the experience as a significant challenge, saying, “My baby and I had our fair share of challenges, be it both physical and emotional. The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life and sports was nothing short of strenuous, however worth it.”

Despite the difficulties, Hafez expressed gratitude for the support she received, stating, “I’m lucky to have shared the trust of my husband, Ibrahim Ihab, and that of my family to be able to come this far.” Her remarkable achievement serves as a testament to her resilience and dedication to her sport, even amidst the challenges of pregnancy.