Karam Gaber after clinching the gold medal in his triumphant campaign in Athens, 2004 (Photo: Ahram)
Egypt's wrestlers start life without the country's best-ever Olympian Karam Gaber as they begin their campaign at the Rio de Janeiro Games on Sunday.
Gaber's two-year suspension for evading doping tests dealt a severe blow to Egypt's chances of winning their first gold medal since the Alexandria-born wrestler came out on top at the 2004 Athens Games in the 96kg category.
He was also the only Egyptian wrestler to win a medal at the 2012 London Games, having clinched silver in the 84kg category.
On Sunday, Haitham Mahmoud will take part in the qualifying round of the men's 59kg event and Mahmoud Rashad will feature in the men's 75kg.
Shooter Hamada Talaat, who caused controversy during the opening ceremony when he raised both the Egyptian and Saudi flags, will be seeking to make an impact in the men's 50m rifle after he could only finish 38th in the qualifying round of the 10m air rifle last week.
Weightlifting has given Egypt two bronze medals in Rio de Janeiro so far and Shaima Khalaf will be looking to make an upset when she features in the women's +75kg category.
Ibtessam Zayed takes part in the qualifying round of the women's cycling sprint and Karim Elzoghby starts his equestrian campaign in the men's individual jumping.
Check the full schedule of all Egyptian athletes
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