Hafnaoui is an Olympic swimmer from Tunisia. He is the first swimmer from Africa to win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Hafnaoui won the 400-meter freestyle race.
The runner missed out on the eighth lane in the final race, but he still finished ahead of the Australian and American runners. The Australian got silver and the American got bronze.
Hafnaoui’s swim
Hafnaoui got off to a good start and was able to maintain his moment. He swam well in the last 50 meters, and clocked 3 minutes 43.36 seconds.
I was surprised to be in the final and I was just as surprised when I won! I didn’t think that would happen. But then when I touched the wall and saw that I was first, it made sense.
The athlete was so amazed by what happened that he did not even bother to bring his team uniform to the pool. He received his medal while standing on the podium in only his training jersey and shorts.
Olympic gold for the Tunisian team
Hafnaoui is the second member of the Tunisian national swim team to win an Olympic gold medal. The first was Osama Mellouli, who also competed in this Olympics. Mellouli had already won two gold medals before Hafnaoui did.
An Olympic swimmer, Hafnaoui will be part of the 800m freestyle race on Tuesday. The two swimmers have done a lot for their team. They only got five gold medals in the whole Olympics!
Hafnaoui was happy when he saw his country’s flag. He said, “I was moved to tears.” It is hard when you have been waiting for something important and then it happens.
Conclusion
Usama Mellouli was the first swimmer from Tunisia to win individual gold. He has three Olympic medals, and he said this is his last. But it looks like Hafnaoui will be the next champion in Tunisian swimming because she is really good.
“We have a great relationship with Mellouli, he wished me good luck before the race and I wish him the same in the open water marathon,” said the young athlete. – He is a real legend and I hope to be like him one day.”
