I want to win a medal at 2028 Olympics: Shawky

17-YEAR-OLD DUBAI STUDENT MAKES HISTORY FOR UAE SWIMMING

- BY JAI PRASAD V. RAI

For 17-year-old Hussein Shawky, success isn't an accident - it's the natural outcome of discipline, commitment, and relentless hard work. These values, he says, were instilled in him long before he first dove into a pool.

"My role model in life is my grandfather," Hussein told Gulf News. “He was always extremely disciplined, committed and hardworking. I believe that I inherited these traits from him, which helped me overcome challenges in my swimming career.”

That foundation of character has already propelled the young swimmer into the history books. Representing the UAE at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, Hussein became the first athlete to ever win a gold medal for the country's swim team. His electrifying victory in the 50m butterfly didn't just earn him the top podium spot — it also set a new record for the event.