Hesham Elshwikh had all the energy to retell Egypt’s bronze-winning moment at the North Paris Arena, even after enduring a hard-fought five-setter against Germany at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Friday afternoon.
“I am happy for the team that we could win this medal for our country,” he said.
While giving much credit and respect to formidable opponents equally worthy of a medal, Elshwikh never, for a moment, doubted his team’s place at the podium.
“I’ve always believed, even before the match started, that we can win. My team is such a great team,’ he remarked.
A Paralympian seven times over, Elshwikh, is also a multi-medallist, as he received his third bronze in Paris following earlier ones in Athens 2004 and Rio 2016.
“I think I will still continue because my team needs me. There may be some young players who would still need guidance from a more senior player like myself. I think I can still help my team.”
The 49-year old Cairo native was energized to represent Egypt and Africa Zone in the paramount para sport event. Yet, he also helped maintain balance and focus, specially in crucial moments of the competition.
“We were not playing perfectly for sure, but all the time, in the court, I was trying to tell my teammates to relax a bit, just to clear the tension out, and then refocus. I need to constantly communicate with the team because I am their captain.”
Elshwikh hinted at hoping for one final Paralympics appearance in LA28, before shifting his focus to more personal matters.
“Maybe by then I can make some changes, without always going to training sessions or to competition events. Perhaps I can relax more, spend more time with the family,” said Elshwikh.
When asked about the person he would like to dedicate the bronze medal to, he quickly replied ‘to my friend,’ before quietly shedding some tears.
Soon after, his teammates came out wearing shirts bearing the image of their beloved coach Tahir Al-Baha as a way of honoring and offering the achievement to their dearly departed mentor.
It became clear who the victory was for.
It may have been a bittersweet moment but a bronze achievement all the same, as Elshwikh and Egypt intend to carry over this momentum into the next Paralympic cycle.
