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Tunisian wins gold at world swimming championships

Tunisia has a history of success in swimming, and athletes from the North African country have also performed well in tennis and soccer recently.

MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images
(L-R) Silver medallist Australia's Samuel Short, gold medallist Tunisia's Ahmed Hafnaoui and bronze medallist USA's Bobby Finke pose during the medals ceremony for the men's 800-meter freestyle swimming event during the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka on July 26, 2023. — MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images

A Tunisian swimmer won gold in an international swimming championship on Wednesday, adding to the North Africa country’s history of success in the sport.

Ahmed Hafnaoui won the men’s 800-meter freestyle competition at the World Aquatics Championships in Japan, finishing with a time of 7:37. He defeated American defending champion Bobby Finke, who finished in third, while Australia’s Samuel Short came in second.

Hafnoui also won silver in the men’s 400-meter freestyle competition, losing to Short but coming one spot ahead of German Lukas Martens.

The World Aquatics Championships is held every two years and features a variety of water sports.

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