Diver Maha Amer. Photo: Facebook official account
The 24-year-old Amer delivered an outstanding performance at the one-metre springboard event of the prestigious tournament to win the bronze medal after a score of 257.15.
"This moment means everything to me. It's a dream come true to not only represent Egypt on this prestigious stage but also to make history for my country in the sport of diving,” Amer, a two-time All-American and former Southeastern Conference co-diver of the year, was quoted as saying by Africaaquatics.org on Saturday.
“I couldn't have achieved this without the unwavering support of my coach, teammates, and the Egyptian diving community,” she added.
In Late December, Amer earned her ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics in dazzling fashion, bagging gold at the African Continental Championships with a personal best score in the women's 3-metre springboard.
Amer's diving journey began at the tender age of seven in a gymnastics club in Cairo. Her talent caught the eye of a coach, who nudged her towards the springboard, launching a 17-year journey of aquatic grace.
Amer's Olympic debut arrived early at the 2016 Rio Games, where she etched her name in history as the youngest competitor in the women's three-metre field at just 16. Though her 28th-place finish didn't reflect her full potential, it was a valuable experience that fueled her determination.
Two years later, Amer embarked on a new chapter, crossing the Atlantic to pursue both a degree in public health and economics at the University of Arkansas while honing her diving skills. After three successful years, her talent impressed Florida University head coach Bryan Gillooly, leading her to Gainesville for her senior season.
At Florida, Amer continued to rewrite records. During the 2022-2023 season, she set a school record in the one-metre springboard with a score of 350.55 points. On her senior day, she put on a dazzling display, claiming victories in both the one-metre and three-metre against the Florida Atlantic Owls.
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