Ahmed Hafnaoui: "I think I have more speed than the others."

On Wednesday 26 July in Fukuoka, Japan, Ahmed Hafnaoui won gold in the 800m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships. The 20-year-old Tunisian won in a blistering 7:37.00, ahead of Australia's Samuel Short (7:37.76) and the American (7:38.67). The Olympic champion also posted the third-fastest time in the history of the event. He sits behind only his compatriot Oussama Mellouli (7:37.27) and China's Zhang Lin, who holds the world record (7:32.12).

Pipped on the touch in the 400m freestyle, the Tunisian made amends in the 800m. And this time it was Samuel Short who paid the price. The Australian was in front at the final turn and was hoping to complete the double. But the last 50 metres proved his undoing. The Métlaoui native was 0.92 s faster to move ahead and take his first long-course World Championship gold medal. "In the last few days, we've focused on that: going as fast as possible in the last 50m," Hafnaoui said at a press conference. He added: "I think I have more speed than the others."

🇹🇳 Ahmed HAFNAOUI made history for Tunisia 🇹🇳
New World Champion in the 800m Freestyle event 👇#AQUAFukuoka23 pic.twitter.com/gjlEF5QWuk

— World Aquatics (@WorldAquatics) July 26, 2023

Having come through Tunisia’s training system before winning Olympic gold, Ahmed Hafnaoui is currently training at Indiana University in the United States. And the Tunisian has improved markedly. "Last September, we changed quite a few things. We focused on details like the turns. It's a different kind of training that I wasn't used to. I think I've improved thanks to that."

World silver medallist in the 400m and now champion in the 800m freestyle, Hafnaoui could win another medal at these World Championships. He is entered in the 1500m freestyle.

Read also: World Aquatics Championships: silver medal and African record for Ahmed Hafnaoui