Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez made headlines when she revealed she was seven months pregnant during her surprising victory over Elizabeth Tartakovsky of the United States, advancing to the last-16 at the Olympics.
The 26-year-old triumphed with a score of 15-13 in the women’s individual sabre competition at the Grand Palais on Monday. However, she later faced defeat against South Korea’s Jeon Hayoung.
Overcome with emotion after her impressive win, the three-time Olympian shared the extraordinary news on social media. “What appears to you as two players on the podium were actually three! It was me, my competitor, and my yet-to-come little baby,” Hafez wrote on Instagram.
“I am writing this post to express the pride I feel for securing my place in the round of 16. This particular Olympics was different. As a three-time Olympian, this time I carried a little Olympian with me,” she continued.
Hafez’s victory over the world number 10, Elizabeth Tartakovsky, was met with widespread positivity from fans. Many praised her for setting a remarkable example for her child.
“The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to balance life and sports was nothing short of strenuous. However, it was worth it,” she said.
Despite a few dissenting opinions, the majority of fans were supportive. One fan wrote on Instagram, “What a story to tell your baby.” Another commented, “Balancing pregnancy and pursuing your passion is never easy. You should be incredibly proud of yourself, regardless of the outcome. You’re setting such a good example for this little champ!”
A third fan joked, “Just amazing today! But is it not cheating to fence two against one?”
