UAE swimmer sets new 50m Butterfly record at Asian Youth Games
Coach Marwan Al Hattawi praises Hussain Shawqi’s dedication and discipline
DUBAI – UAE national swimmer Hussain Shawqi has made history at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, winning gold in the 50m butterfly with a record-setting time of 24.73 seconds.
Shawqi finished 0.24 seconds ahead of Hong Kong’s Lau Kin James, who claimed silver in 24.97 seconds, while Wu Chao-Si of Chinese Taipei took bronze with 25.05 seconds.
In a remarkable display of stamina and skill, Shawqi competed in three finals in less than 24 hours, securing victories while maintaining peak performance. He had earlier qualified for the 50m butterfly final with a time of 25.16 seconds, finishing 0.42 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor, and also earned bronze in the 50m freestyle on Monday.
The UAE’s medal tally now stands at 19 – including eight gold, six silver, and five bronze medals – placing the nation sixth overall and first among Arab countries. China leads the overall standings with 98 medals, followed by Uzbekistan with 40 and Thailand with 33.
Training excellence
Hussain Shawqi highlighted the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent training, praising the guidance of Emirati coach Marwan Al Hattawi. “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, welcomed Shawqi’s achievement, noting the athlete’s exceptional performance across all events. Preparations for the Asian Youth Games began on 20 June, with swimmers selected based on age eligibility and performance, ensuring a structured and effective training programme.