Teen swimming sensation Hussein Shawky secures two medals at Asian Age Group Championships.
Hussein Shawky made history by becoming the first UAE swimmer to win a medal at the 12th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 17-year-old Abu Dhabi Aquatics Club swimmer delivered a remarkable performance to secure gold in the 50m freestyle, finishing in 22.59 seconds. He then added a silver medal in the 50m butterfly, completing the event in 24.50 seconds.
The historic double medal represents another major milestone in Shawky’s rapidly progressing career and reflects the development he has achieved since joining the programmes of the UAE Committee for Talent and Sports Support (UAETSS) under the Ministry of Sports in November 2025.
The UAETSS plays an important role in identifying and developing promising Emirati athletes by providing comprehensive support, confidence-building initiatives, and tailored development and monitoring programmes aimed at preparing them for success at continental and international competitions.
Long-term commitment
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 Shawky’s achievement highlights the Committee’s long-term commitment to investing in young sporting talent and helping athletes reach their full potential.
“We are immensely proud of Hussein Shawky’s achievement, which reflects his dedication, perseverance and commitment to excellence,” Sheikh Suhail said.
“His success is also a testament to the collective efforts of the UAE’s sports ecosystem, where collaboration between different parts of the national sports system creates meaningful pathways for young athletes to develop and succeed.
“It further highlights the importance of investing in young talent as a foundation for the future of Emirati sports. The Committee remains committed to working with sports federations and clubs to identify and nurture promising athletes, providing them with an environment that helps transform their ambitions into achievements and enables them to raise the UAE flag at major regional and international competitions.”
Collective efforts
The UAE Aquatics Federation also praised Shawky’s achievement as a landmark moment for Emirati swimming, saying it reflects the combined efforts of the federation and its partners to develop the sport and enhance the performance of UAE athletes.
The federation said Shawky’s success was built on comprehensive preparation programmes and technical plans developed in coordination with the Ministry of Sports and the UAETSS. These initiatives aim to create a competitive environment that strengthens athletes’ capabilities and supports their continued progress at local, regional and international levels.
Abu Dhabi Aquatics Club expressed its pride in Shawky’s historic performance, saying his results highlight the strength of the club’s preparation and athlete development programmes, delivered under the supervision of the federation and in line with international technical standards.
The club said Shawky’s achievement reflects its vision of developing a new generation of champions capable of representing the UAE with distinction. It also reaffirmed its commitment to providing athletes with the support, resources and training environment needed to perform at the highest levels.
Since joining the UAETSS, Shawky has continued to make his mark at regional and international competitions, establishing himself as one of Asia’s most promising young swimmers.
Among his standout achievements was winning gold in the 50m event at the Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025, where he set the fastest time in the history of the Games. He also secured a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle at the same event after competing in three finals within 24 hours, while adding further medals at domestic and international competitions.
