Ellesmere's Kareem makes waves in Egypt
A swimmer from north Shropshire has been nominated for selection for the Egyptian national team.
Kareem El Degwy, 13, of Calverhall, was singled out for praise after he took part in the Egyptian National swimming Championships in Cairo.
The Thomas Adams School pupil figured in five days of competition and finished 18th.
"The coaches said they would be happy to give him a call to come and swim for Egypt,"said El Degwy's dad Ash.
"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. It was 32 degrees in an outdoor swimming pool with the sun in your eyes, a totally different experience."
El Degwy 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 fifth in the UK for the 1,500 metres freestyle. At 11, 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.
El Degwy, whose mum Nicole is British and dad Ash Egyptian, can 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."
El Degwy has been a pupil at Thomas Adams School since 2013 and the school gave him special permission to compete in the championships.
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."
