Egyptian Fencing Sensation Nada Hafez Competed at Paris Olympics 7 Months Pregnant

Fencing at the Olympics is challenging enough. Now, imagine doing it while seven months pregnant.

PARIS, France — Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has disclosed that she competed in the Paris Olympics while expecting a baby.

Hafez took to Instagram to share the news, announcing she was “carrying a little Olympian one” just hours after making it to the round of 16 in the women’s saber event on Monday.

The 26-year-old athlete from Cairo managed to defeat Elizabeth Tartakovsky of the United States, a former NCAA champion, before eventually losing to Jeon Hayoung of South Korea.

“My baby & I had our fair share of challenges, both physical & emotional,” Hafez wrote. “The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but fighting to balance life & sports was strenuous yet worth it. Pride fills my being for securing my place in the round of 16!”

A former gymnast with a medical degree, Hafez is a three-time Olympian. She won gold medals in the individual and team saber events at the 2019 African Games. Her ranking of 16th on Monday marks her best result in any of her Olympic appearances.