After topping the world ranking for the first time in the history of Egyptian, Arab, and African fencing, Egyptian fencer Ziad Elsissy is on a mission to claim his first Olympic medal 

The 29-year-old sabre specialist has been a dominant force on the international circuit, capping off his achievements with a remarkable gold medal at the 2024 Seoul Grand Prix in May.

Elsissy showcased his skill and determination by defeating Georgia's Sandro Bazadze with a score of 15-13.

Reflecting on his historic victory, Elsissy expressed his pride, stating, "Winning the Grand Prix gold was a monumental dream, and I feel deeply honored to be the first Egyptian, African, and Arab athlete to achieve this feat."

He also highlighted his satisfaction with his progress: "I'm pleased with my progress so far, and I'm currently undergoing rigorous Olympic training with the full backing of the Egyptian Fencing Federation and the Ministry of Sports. My goal is to win an Olympic medal in Paris and reach the pinnacle of the sport," added the world number one.

Elsissy's journey in fencing began during his youth in his hometown of Alexandria.

While initially drawn to basketball due to his family's involvement in the sport, he eventually heeded his mother's suggestion and switched his focus to fencing.

His success story commenced in 2015 with a bronze medal at the African Games.

Elsissy went on to etch his name in history by becoming the first Egyptian fencer to claim an individual medal at the world championships, securing bronze in the sabre category at the 2022 Algeria World Cup.

This notable achievement earned him the prestigious First Class Sports Medal in Egypt in the same year.

Elsissy continued to make his mark, adding another bronze to his collection at the 2023 World Cup in Milan.

Although he faced a setback at the 2024 World Cup in Madrid, where he was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Italy's Matteo Neri, Elsissy rebounded by securing a bronze medal at the 2024 African Championships, finishing behind his compatriots Mohamed Amer and Adham Moataz, respectively.

As he embarks on his Olympic quest on 31 July, Elissy carries the hopes of the Egyptian nation, eager to witness his pursuit of Olympic glory.