As the first Egyptian fencer born after the year 2000 to reach the senior world podium in men’s sabre, Hesham’s feat is nothing short of historic. In a sport traditionally dominated by European and Asian powerhouses, the result is a testament to Egypt’s steady rise in the global fencing arena. His accomplishment follows a growing legacy of success in the sport in recent years, including Ziad Al-Sissi’s bronze in the 2023 Senior World Championships and Mohamed Al-Sayed’s bronze medal in épée at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Hesham’s campaign in Tbilisi was guided by coach Ahmed Hamdi and was distinguished by remarkable composure and resilience. After a strong start in the pool stages, he surged through the knockout rounds with poise and brilliance. He defeated Brazil’s Vince UU with ease, and continued his run with commanding victories over Japan’s Kento Yoshida, Germany’s Matyas Szabo, and Turkey’s Enver Yildirim in a gripping 15-14 battle. In the quarter-finals, he overcame Italy’s Pietro Torre in a dominant display to secure a place in the semi-finals and, with it, Egypt’s place on the podium.
In the semi-final, Hesham faced Georgia’s Sandro Bazadze, one of the sport’s most formidable names and buoyed by a home crowd. Despite a valiant effort, Hesham fell 15-10, but the result did little to diminish the magnitude of his achievement. The bronze medal he earned was presented by Abdel-Moneim Al-Husseini, Egypt’s president of the International Fencing Federation, in a moment that blended national pride with personal triumph.
Hesham’s rise has been both meteoric and methodical. Trained at Egypt’s Shooting Sports Club, he emerged early as a continental powerhouse, capturing gold at the U17 African Championships in 2022, repeating the feat at the U20 level in Cairo in 2024, and claiming senior African gold in 2025. Internationally, he made his mark with a series of strong showings, including medals at the U17 and U20 World Championships, World Cups, and the NCAA Championships in the United States.
Currently enrolled at the University of Notre Dame, Hesham trains in one of the most competitive collegiate environments in the world. The fusion of academic excellence and elite athletic development has equipped him with a maturity beyond his years, allowing him to transition seamlessly into the highest levels of global competition.
Beyond the medals, Hesham represents a broader story, one of perseverance, promise and pride. His path has not been without obstacles. Only three months before his triumph in Georgia, he faced a disappointing early exit at the Junior World Championships in China. Rather than faltering, he transformed the setback into fuel, returning stronger, sharper and more determined.
Hesham is now a symbol of hope and inspiration not only for Egypt but for a continent. At just 18 years old, he has already carved his place among the world’s elite fencers. And if his story so far is any indication, the best is yet to come.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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