Tunisia’s Ahmed Hafnaoui pulled off a major shock on the opening day of the Tokyo Olympics swimming medal events with a stunning victory in the men’s 400m freestyle.
The 18-year-old raced a sizzling final 50m to touch in 3:43.36 and overhaul Australian Jack McLoughlin (3:43.52) and US swimmer Kieran Smith (3:43.94), who took bronze.
A huge moment for #TUN!
— Olympics (@Olympics) July 25, 2021
Teenager Ahmed Hafnaoui takes surprise gold in the 400m men’s freestyle final – their third ever in swimming.@fina1908 #Swimming pic.twitter.com/BMFuawyXC6
“I just can’t believe that, it’s amazing. I felt better in the water this morning than yesterday and that’s it. I’m the Olympic champion now,” he said.
“I just put my head in the water and that’s it. I just can’t believe it. It’s a dream come true.”
Elijah Winnington, who shocked Mack Horton at the Australian trials to deny his countryman the chance of defending his Olympic title, led through 100m.
But McLoughlin hauled him in by the 200m marks and looked destined for gold until Hafnaoui’s burst of electric speed as he zeroed in on the finish line.
(Input from AFP)