• Swimming Mireia Belmonte, fourth, 23 hundredths from the podium of the 400 styles

An 18-year-old Tunisian, champion of the 400 freestyle in Tokyo, is the pride of Africa in the pool, where his role has been testimonial for many reasons, the most important, the lack of means that Europeans, Americans or Australians have. The best adaptation of some or other races to this sport, too, although there are exceptions, such as

Anthony Nesty

or

Simone Manuel

, even if they were not from the continent.

Ahmed Hafnaoui

does not belong to sub-Saharan Africa, but to the Maghreb and, specifically, to a country that has already said things in the history of Olympic swimming, thanks to

Oussama Mellouli

, 1,500 Olympic champion in Beijing. Hafnaoui is his successor.

The young swimmer, a giant, also won on the eighth street, something for which there are hardly any precedents on the Olympic scene.

He entered the water very strong, without hesitation, and his way of sustaining the rhythm of the race was surprising, with an imposing finish, despite his not always regular stroke, to surpass the favorite, Australian

Jack McLoughlin

, and score 3: 45.39 .

Africa's record (3: 41.11) is still a long way off, but within reach, given his age.

Hafnaoui has an unpredictable progression ahead as he has been able to get on the podium not only in 400, but also in 800 and 1,500 at the African Championships.

Despite not being a great reference for his competitive level, they are in his case, after observing him at the Aquatic Center, where madness took hold of his coach in the stands.

Mellouli, an exceptional long distance runner, is a benchmark for the new champion, whose characteristics give him a much wider range.

It is not, moreover, a swimmer made abroad, but in the African country.

Mellouli, for his part, wants to reciprocate his young disciple in the open water event, in his sixth Olympic Games, although, in Tokyo, Tunisia already has a new king, and Africa an idol in the pool.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Olympic swimming

  • sports

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Tokyo OlympicsMireia Belmonte, a final for pride

Tokyo Games Biblical Caeleb Dressel searches the waters of Tokyo for his promised land

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