UAE swimmer Hussain Shawqi claims gold in the 50m butterfly at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. ARCHIVE

UAE swimmer Hussain Shawqi made history at the Asian Youth Games, capturing gold in the 50m butterfly with a record-breaking time of 24.73 seconds, the fastest ever recorded in the competition. Shawqi finished 0.24 seconds ahead of Hong Kong’s Lau Kin James (24.97 seconds), while Wu Chao-Si of Chinese Taipei took bronze (25.05 seconds). His performance marked one of the highlights of the UAE delegation’s campaign in Bahrain. Within 24 hours, Shawqi competed in three finals, securing a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle and helping the UAE’s total medal count reach 19 medals — 8 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze — ranking sixth overall and first among Arab nations. “My deepest thanks to the Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee, and the UAE Aquatic Sports Federation,” Shawqi said. “Their collective efforts have led to this remarkable success — and what lies ahead promises to be even greater in future international competitions.” Marwan Al Hattawi, Head Coach of the UAE National Swimming Team, praised Shawqi’s performance, saying preparations began as early as June to ensure athletes were in peak condition. “Hussain displayed exceptional discipline, focus, and consistency. This gold medal is a result of dedication and teamwork,” Al Hattawi said. ICA/Expat Media
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