- Title: Egyptian amputee sets record by swimming across the Gulf of Aqaba
- Date: 23rd May 2017
- Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (MAY 19, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF AMPUTEE SWIMMER, OMAR HEGAZY, WALKING IN SPORTING CLUB VARIOUS OF HEGAZY IN GYM LIFTING WEIGHTS HEGAZY APPROACHING SWIMMING POOL HEGAZY JUMPING INTO POOL HEGAZY SWIMMING HEGAZY SITTING BY POOL HEGAZY WALKING DOWN STAIRS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AMPUTEE SWIMMER, OMAR HEGAZY, SAYING: "Before the accident I was an adventurer. I used to rock climb, dive and do things that are a bit dangerous. After the accident I was sceptical about being able to do those things. I started doing small things like training to rock climb. I trained hard until I could climb the mountain with one leg. It grew from there because I realised I could accomplish things just like I used to and on the contrary, it's more enjoyable and the feeling is better because it is much harder than before." HEGAZY IN GYM HEGAZY STRETCHING VARIOUS OF HEGAZY TRAINING AT GYM HEGAZY DOING PULL-UPS HEGAZY WALKING IN GYM (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AMPUTEE SWIMMER, OMAR HEGAZY, SAYING: "I chose long distance swimming because it is an adventure, not many would consider doing something so dangerous. I like doing unique things, things no one else does. I do not believe in races. Also I like doing something that has a danger aspect to it and brings me close to death, it's an exciting feeling. At the same time I want to raise the flag of the country that I like or support a cause that I believe in." VARIOUS OF HEGAZY SWIMMING VARIOUS OF HEGAZY SITTING POOLSIDE VARIOUS OF HEGAZY SWIMMING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AMPUTEE SWIMMER, OMAR HEGAZY, SAYING: "The message that I am telling others and to myself, before I tell others, is that one chooses - the message is 'I choose'. This is our hashtag. You choose what you want, you choose to be happy or sad. You choose to be successful or to fail. You choose whether to stay at the bottom or rise at a time of crisis. It is 100% your choice. Some factors affect your decision but in the end, it is 100% your choice." VARIOUS OF HEGAZY SWIMMING VARIOUS OF HEGAZY SITTING BY SIDE OF THE POOL
- Embargoed: 6th June 2017 12:58
- Keywords: Guinness World Record Jordan to Egypt Gulf of Aqaba amputee swimmer Egyptian swimmer Omar Hegazy
- Location: CAIRO, EGYPT
- City: CAIRO, EGYPT
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Sport,Swimming
- Reuters ID: LVA0016I243F9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: An Egyptian adventurer has become the first one-legged man to swim from Egypt to Jordan.
Last month, Omar Hegazy crossed a 20 kilometre (12.4 miles) stretch of the Red Sea Gulf of Aqaba in under nine hours.
The 26-year-old banker lost his leg in a motorbike accident two years ago which he said left him with an identity crisis.
Determined to overcome the setback, Hegazy regained his strength through training and was soon practising extreme sports he had enjoyed before his accident, including rock-climbing and diving.
"Before the accident I was an adventurer. I used to rock climb, dive and do things that are a bit dangerous. After the accident I was sceptical about being able to do those things. I started doing small things like training to rock climb. I trained hard until I could climb the mountain with one leg. It grew from there because I realised I could accomplish things just like I used to and on the contrary, it's more enjoyable and the feeling is better because it is much harder than before," Hegazy said.
Hegazy hopes that his achievement will inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter what setbacks they may have suffered.
"You choose to be successful or to fail. You choose whether to stay at the bottom or rise at a time of crisis. It is 100% your choice. Some factors affect your decision but in the end, it is 100% your choice," he said.
Hegazy raised funds for the swim through local sponsors.
Audiences were able to track his progress across the coral-rich gulf through a Twitter hashtag he created to raise awareness about people enduring mental and physical disabilities. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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