Tunisian Hafnaoui creates history

TOKYO: Eighteen-year-old Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia stunned the pool when he swam an event-winning time of three minutes and 43.36 seconds in the men's 400m freestyle, as the first four swimming medals of the 2021 Olympic Games were awarded Sunday. The 18-year-old youngster also ended the dominance of Australia, New Zealand and Asian nations in men's 400m freestyle. A swimmer from outside Asia or Oceania has not won a gold medal in the event at the Olympic Games since Barcelona 1992. Ahmed Hafnoui, Tunisia's second Olympic swim finalist ever, stepped on the podium in his shorts.

"I just can't accept that -- it is too incredible," said Hafnaoui. "Oussama is a legend. I wish I could become like him," Hafnaoui hailed his compatriot, three-time Olympic medallist Oussama Mellouli.

Jack McLoughlin of Australia took the silver in 3:43.52, and American Kieran Smith claimed the bronze in 3:43.94. Top seed Germany's Henning Muhlleitner missed the podium, ranking fourth in 3:44.07. IANS

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