The Egyptian national junior team, U16, won first place at the African Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship.
The championship took place in Namibia, from 29 to 31 August, and the Egyptian team included Farida Nadir, Malak Sherif, Salma Khaled, Tia Diaa, and Nermin Khaled.
In the individual competitions, Mariam Selim came in first place, Habiba Marzouk came in second, Marla Atef in fourth, and Shada Sherif in fifth. After adding their individual scores, they ranked first in the overall individual’s division.
The U16 rhythmic gymnastics team is being prepared for the qualifications of the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympics, expected to be held in October 2018 in Argentina.
This was not Egypt’s only victory at the African championship, as the over-16 Egyptian national team also won first place in its division, after the addition of all the individuals’ scores. The team included Norhal Khatab, Nour Abdel Aziz, Haya Hesham, and Laila Selim. In the individual competitions, Hesham came in second place, while Laila Selim came in third.
The Egyptian delegation was presided by Alaa Hamed, president of the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation, and Yasmin Samir, president of the technical committee at the African Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and the president of the tournament’s organising committee.
The efforts of Noha Abdel Wehab, president of the Technical Committee in the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation and vice president of the Technical Committee in the International Federation, were recognised in the team’s achievements.
Photos by Nevine Kamel