Paris 2024 Olympics: Egypt Wins First Bronze Medal in Epee, Bringing Hope in a Crucial Time

Egypt Scored its First Medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics

Fencer Mohamed El-Sayed won Egypt's first medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics, securing the bronze in the Men's Épée Individual event with a hard-fought 8-7 victory over Tibor Andrasfi of Hungary.

Mohamed El-Sayed as he knew that he won the Bronze medal 

Photos of the 21-year-old celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous "Siu" celebration at the Grand Palais in Paris went viral, bringing a breath of fresh air to many Egyptians.

Celebrating the media a la C7R "Siu" style in Paris

This is Egypt, Africa and the Arab World's first Olympic medal in épée. "I think the Mideast too" 

It is also the second Olympic medal Egypt has achieved in fencing, despite being long-time sport champions in Africa, the Middle East, and the Arab world.

The first medal was won by Alaa Aboulkassem, who earned a silver medal in foil at the London Olympics in 2012.

Currently, Ziad El-Sissy, who is ranked No. 2 in sabre fencing by the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime, lost sadly on Saturday.

However, Mohamed El-Sayed’s triumph renewed hope for many Egyptians.

The flying Egyptian fencer in Paris 

El-Sayed’s bronze medal raises Egypt’s total Olympic medal count in modern times to 39.

In a 2021 interview following the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, El-Sayed, then an 18-year-old high school student, vowed to continue working to achieve a medal in Paris 2024 after reaching the quarter-finals.

He has now fulfilled that promise.

The 21-year-old hails from a family of fencers. His father is a former fencer and currently a fencing coach and both his brother and sister are fencers who are also members of Egypt's fencing team. 

From a little boy playing with an epee sword to an Olympian with a bronze medal

El-Sayed is currently studying in the United States. 

In these challenging economic times, marked by significant national security challenges and distressing news from our borders, Egyptians are in desperate need of hopeful news like this.

I rewatched the video of El-Sayed jumping from happiness after winning the game many times. 

مبروووووووووووووووووووووك لـ مصر 🎉🎊✨

🚨ميدالية أولي للفراعنة في باريس 🤩🇪🇬🇨🇵

البطل #محمد_السيد يتوج ببرونزية سلاح المبارزة .. بعد الفوز على المجري تيبور أندراسفي باللمسة الذهبية🥉🇪🇬👏#الأولمبياد_مع_الجزار | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/dRiOtKtOIl

— محمد الجزار 🦅 (@mohamedelgazar4) July 28, 2024

I pray to God for true happiness for the people of Egypt, and Palestine, especially in Gaza, Sudan, Syria and Lebanon.