Mothers Are Mothering At Paris 2024: Nada Hafez & Yaylagul Ramazanova Win While Pregnant
In the limelight of mothers taking over the 2024 Olympics at Paris, Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez and Azerbaijani archer Yaylagul Ramazanova have gained significant attention for their impressive performance and inspirational journey.
Slay, Mamas!
It was revealed that Hafez and Ramazanova are seven and six and a half months pregnant while competing and winning fencing and archery.
“What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, and my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!” Hafez posted on her personal Instagram account last July 30th, driving shock across the online world.
Hafez mentioned further that she and her baby had their fair share of challenges, physical and emotional. Going through a rollercoaster of changes during pregnancy and balancing life and sports was not easy, but has been worth it. Pride filled her as she announced that she secured a place in the round of 16. The 26-year-old triumphed over the world’s 10th-ranked fencer, Elizabeth Tartakovsky from the United States, with a score of 15-13.
“Balancing between pregnancy and pursuing your passion is never easy, so you should be proud of yourself regardless of the outcome. You’re setting such a good example for this little champ!” read a comment by Instagram user @dinamohamednour, touched by Hafez’s post and achievement.
Ramazanova also shared her moments of pride on her personal Instagram account. A first-timer in the Olympics, she successfully scored 647 out of 720 possible points. Ramazanova competed against Chinese archer An Qixuan in the 1/32 round, resulting in a 5:5 tie.
Since both archers scored the same, they competed in a tiebreaker round. In this second round, Ramazanova scored one point more than An Qixuan with a 10:9 tie, winning the game.
“I felt my baby kick me before I shot this last arrow, and then I shot a 10,” Ramazanova shared this heartfelt moment with Xihuan Net. She then added that during the training season, she did not feel uncomfortable with the pregnancy. Ramazanova feels like she’s not fighting alone, but together with her baby.
Get To Know The Athletes
Born on August 28, 1997 in Cairo, Hafez has competed in three Olympic Games: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. She began her fencing journey in 2014 when she joined the Egyptian National Senior Fencing Sabre Women’s Team. Hafez’s athletic experience began with gymnastics and later transitioned into fencing. Her hard work paid off, as she earned medals at the African Championships and other international competitions. Each win showcased her resilience, overcoming numerous challenges to reach the top of her sport.
Beyond fencing, Hafez also pursued academic success. She studied Medicine at Cairo University, managing both her studies and intense training. Graduating in 2022, she demonstrated that dedication and time management can lead to success in multiple fields.
On the other hand, one interesting fact about Ramazanova is that she began her sporting career as a shooter, not an archer. The 34-year-old was told by her coach that she would better fit archery due to her long arms.
Their Journey To The Olympics
Hafez explained in an interview with Egyptian Streets that before the Rio 2016 Olympics, she was required to go through a qualification tournament called “The Zone.” In this qualifying event, Hafez faced a roster of highly skilled fencers, all vying for a single spot. Through her determination and skill, Hafez triumphed, earning her place at the 2016 Rio Olympics, which later brought her to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and finally the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Hafez’s path to the Olympics has been significantly strengthened by encouragement from her family, who have deeply emphasized the value of sports and striving for excellence. “I’m lucky to have shared the trust of my husband @ibrahimihab11 and that of my family to come this far,” she expressed on her Instagram.
“This specific Olympics was different; Three times Olympian but this time carrying a little Olympian one!” Nada Hafez’s remarkable journey underscores the profound impact of unwavering determination and the invaluable support of loved ones.
Meanwhile, this was Ramazanova’s first time competing at the Olympics. She’s also the second person to represent Azerbaijan in archery, after Olqa Senyuk at Rio 2016.
Hafez’s and Ramazanova’s stories are not only a testament to their resilience and skill but also a beacon of inspiration for future generations of athletes. As both women continue to make their mark on the world of fencing and beyond, their legacy of excellence and perseverance will undoubtedly inspire and uplift those who follow in their footsteps.
Want to know more about South Korean Olympic shooter Kim Yeji? Check out our Kim Yeji spotlight here!
