World Aquatics Championships: Ahmed Hafnaoui too good

Thanks to Ahmed Hafnaoui, Tunisia is on the medal table at the World Aquatics Championships. The 20-year-old Tunisian has written himself further into swimming history. On Sunday in Fukuoka, the Olympic champion won his third medal. He took gold in the 1500m freestyle in a stratospheric time of 14:31.54. It was a win by the narrowest of margins, with just 5 hundredths of a second separating him from the runner-up, American Bobby Finke (14:31.59). "Bobby pushed me and I knew he had a faster finish. I tried to improve my last 100 metres and it worked", he told Olympics.com after his race.

It was a time that came close to the world record held by China's Sun Yang since the London Olympic Games in 2012 (14:31.02). The Tunisian thus posts the second-fastest time ever in the 1500m freestyle. Hafnaoui also set a new championship record and African record. He now has the world record in his sights. "The world record is the biggest goal and that is what I will be working on until the Paris 2024 Games", he said.

🏊‍♂️ 1500M FREESTYLE - TOP 5 OF ALL TIME:

1. Sun Yang 🇨🇳 14:31.02 WR
2. Ahmed Hafnaoui 🇹🇳 14:31.54 '2️⃣3️⃣
3. Bobby Finke 🇺🇸 14:31.59 '2️⃣3️⃣
4. Gregorio Paltrinieri 🇮🇹 14:32.80
5. Grant Hackett 🇦🇺 14:34.56#Natation https://t.co/5V1ojnDqb1

— MR.CARTER (@NelsonCarterJr) July 30, 2023

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

Silver medallist and African record holder in his first event, the 400m freestyle, Ahmed Hafnaoui has grown stronger as the week has gone on. In the 800m, he gave his rivals no chance. He won that distance with the third-fastest time in history, 7:37.00. These performances come just a year out from the Paris 2024 Olympics. At this rate, Hafnanoui could bring Tunisia three Olympic medals in Paris. As a reminder, he is the reigning Olympic champion in the 400m freestyle.