UAE Swimmer Hussein Shawky Makes History with Gold and Silver at Asian Age Group Championships
UAE national team swimmer Hussein Shawky has made history by becoming the first Emirati swimmer to win medals at the 12th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships, securing a gold medal in the 50m freestyle and a silver medal in the 50m butterfly during the competition in Bangkok, Thailand.
Representing the Abu Dhabi Aquatics Club and the UAE national swimming team, Shawky claimed gold in the 50m freestyle with a time of 22.59 seconds before adding silver in the 50m butterfly, finishing in 24.50 seconds.
Historic Achievement for UAE Swimming
The double-medal performance marks a significant milestone for UAE swimming, highlighting the country's growing presence in international aquatic competitions.
Shawky's success also reflects his rapid development since joining the UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support (UAETSS), operating under the Ministry of Sports, in November 2025. The committee provides promising athletes with specialized development programs, technical support and performance monitoring to prepare them for continental and global competitions.
Ministry Highlights Investment in Young Talent
H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sports Development and Competitiveness Sector at the Ministry of Sports and Chairman of the UAETSS, said the achievement demonstrates the committee's long-term commitment to identifying and developing emerging Emirati sporting talent.
He said Shawky's success reflects the effectiveness of an integrated sports development system that brings together government entities, sports federations and clubs to create opportunities for young athletes to compete and succeed on the international stage.
The committee, he added, will continue working with sports organizations across the UAE to identify promising athletes and provide them with the resources and support needed to represent the country at major regional and global events.
Federation and Club Praise Performance
The UAE Aquatics Federation described Shawky's achievement as an important milestone for Emirati aquatics, noting that the results are the outcome of comprehensive training programs and technical preparation carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and the UAETSS.
The federation said the collaborative approach aims to strengthen athletes' technical abilities while creating a competitive environment that supports long-term sporting success.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Aquatics Club congratulated its athlete, saying the historic performance reflects the quality of the club's development programs and its commitment to preparing future champions capable of representing the UAE with distinction.
The club reaffirmed its commitment to providing world-class coaching and training environments that enable swimmers to achieve further success in regional and international competitions.
Rising Star in Asian Swimming
Shawky has continued to build an impressive record in international competitions over the past year.
Among his recent achievements was winning gold in the 50m event at the Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025, where he recorded the fastest time in the competition's history. During the same tournament, he also secured a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle, competing in three finals within 24 hours, in addition to winning several other regional and international medals.
Boost for UAE Sports
Shawky's latest success reinforces the UAE's growing reputation in international swimming and highlights ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Sports, the UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support, the UAE Aquatics Federation, and local clubs to develop a new generation of Emirati athletes capable of competing at the highest levels.
Officials believe the achievement will inspire more young athletes to pursue competitive swimming while strengthening the UAE's ambitions for future success at continental and global championships.
