Meet Nada Hafez: The Egyptian Fencer Who Competed in The Olympics Seven Months Pregnant

Nada Hafez, an Egyptian sabre fencer born on August 28, 1997, has made headlines at the 2024 Paris Olympics for a truly remarkable achievement.

Competing while seven months pregnant, Hafez has showcased an extraordinary level of dedication and strength in her sport.

Hafez’s fencing career began in earnest in 2014 when she joined the Egyptian National Senior Fencing Sabre Women’s Team.

By 2015, she clinched her first Egyptian Senior Women’s Sabre National Republic Competition title.

Her Olympic journey began with a qualification for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games through the African zonal qualification in Algeria, followed by another qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Throughout her career, Hafez has garnered several accolades, including a silver medal at the African Zonal Championship in 2018 and bronze medals in 2014 and 2019.

She also earned a bronze medal at the Belgium Tournoi satellite, adding to her impressive resume.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Hafez competed under extraordinary circumstances. Defying expectations, she triumphed over American fencer Elizabeth Tartakovsky with a 15-13 victory.

However, her journey ended with a 15-7 defeat against South Korea’s Jeon Ha-young.

Outside the fencing arena, Hafez is a national champion in gymnastics and holds a degree in Medicine from Cairo University, which she earned in 2022.

She is currently working as a clinical pathologist, balancing her demanding career with her athletic pursuits and personal life.