Gaber, 44, is one of Egypt's most decorated Olympians, having won the gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics, before winning the silver medal at the 2012 London Games.

“Injury will stop me from participating in the African championship that qualifies for the Olympics,” Gaber, who have recently returned to training after years of absence, wrote on his Facebook page.

“I would like to thank every Egyptian, sports ministry, Egyptian Olympic Committee, and the Egyptian Wrestling Federation for their support,” he added.

Gaber hinted that this could be a full retirement from the sport as he wished good luck for the Egyptian team in the African championship, adding that he will head with national teams to provide help through coaching, without disclosing any further details.

Success story
 

21 years ago, the success story of Gaber, who is ranked among Egypt's best Olympians of all time, began at the 2003 World Championships when he clinched the silver medal.

One year later, he continued to shine in Athens after winning the gold medal in the men's Greco-Roman 96kg at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

The success of the Egyptian wrestler continued at the 2012 London Olympics, winning the silver medal in the Greco-Roman event (84kg) to become the first Egyptian grappler to win two Olympic medals.

Sadly, Gaber missed the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after being hit with a two-year suspension by the United World Wrestling due to an anti-doping rules violation.

Since ending the suspension in August 2017, Gaber’s name was away from major wrestling events in recent years before deciding to prepare for the African championship, which dealt a blow by the injury.

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