Tunisia’s rising star Ahmed Jaouadi claimed his first major international title on Wednesday, dominating the men’s 800m freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. The 20-year-old swimmer surged ahead midway through the race and never looked back, clocking an impressive 7:36.88 — the third-fastest time ever recorded in the event. Germany’s Sven Schwarz took silver with 7:39.96, while fellow German and 400m world champion Lukas Maertens earned bronze in 7:40.19. Olympic champion Bobby Finke of the U.S. finished just outside the podium in fourth place (7:46.42), and Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen, a favorite going into the race, finished last with 7:58.56.
“I didn’t go in with a strict race plan,” Jaouadi said after the final. “I just reacted to the pace. When I saw it was slower than expected, I decided to make my move early. It paid off.” The win marks a historic moment for Tunisian swimming, as Jaouadi dedicated his victory to fellow countryman and 2020 Olympic gold medallist Ahmed Hafnaoui, who is currently serving a 21-month suspension after missing three anti-doping tests. “This is for Hafnaoui,” Jaouadi said. “He’s having a rough time and I wanted to show that Tunisian swimming still has something to prove.”
Australian swimmer Sam Short, who had posted the second-fastest qualifying time, withdrew just hours before the final due to a sudden stomach illness. Short, who had already secured silver in the 400m freestyle earlier in the competition, was among several top athletes affected by a wave of illness in Singapore. The U.S. team confirmed that a majority of their swimmers were suffering from acute gastroenteritis, and Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi also reported feeling unwell before competing in the 100m breaststroke final. Despite the health setbacks, the competition pressed on, delivering a career-defining moment for Jaouadi and a potential new era for African distance swimming.
