A swimmer from north Shropshire has been nominated for selection for the Egyptian national team.
Kareem El Degwy, 13, of Calverhall, took part in the Egyptian National swimming Championships in Cairo last week and coaches have singled him out for praise.
The Thomas Adams School pupil took part in five days of competition and came 18th overall.
His dad Ash said he was very proud.
“The coaches said they would be happy to give him a call to come and swim for Egypt,” he said.
“It was the highlight of the trip. He did really well, I was quite shocked at it to be honest, he was competing against people who are used to the conditions and been training for a long time.
“Kareem has been working hard but it’s only a year since he started again after a break, this is such a good achievement for him.
“It was very different to what he is used to as well, it was 32 degrees heat in an outdoor swimming pool with the sun in your eyes, a totally different experience.”
Kareem competed against top swimmers in the freestyle, breaststroke and individual medley competitions.
When at home in Shropshire he leaves the house at 5.30am most days and trains six days a week, swimming 25 miles a week.
At 10-years-old he was in the top boy at the Shropshire Championship and 5th in the UK for the 1,500 metres free style.
At 11 years-old he began to compete in the Midlands regional championships.
As a member of Ellesmere Titans swimming club, he trains at Ellesmere College Pool before and after school at Thomas Adams six days a week, his only day off from training is a Saturday.
Kareem, whose Mum Nicole is British and Dad Ash is Egyptian, has the opportunity to represent either country. He will have to decide if he wants to enter the African Junior Championships and Arab Nations Championships, or represent Great Britain.
Ash added: “Every country has it’s own selection process.
“Hopefully this success will highlight Kareem to the UK team too, he’s enjoying a lot of success.
“I would like him to have the chance to choose, but as long as he is enjoying his swimming it is ok.”
Mr El Degwy, an electrical engineer, quit his job and started his own company in order to accommodate Kareem’s swimming schedule.
Kareem has been a pupil at Thomas Adams School since 2013 and the school have given him special permission to compete in the championship abroad.
Senior teacher and head of PE Tom McAleavy said: “We are thrilled for Kareem and the success he has experienced in Egypt.
“Since his time here at Thomas Adams School he has demonstrated a mature and dedicated attitude towards his swimming.
“He continues to be an ambassador for the PE Department and we wish him all the best in his swimming future.”
Shropshire Live is regulated by