GEMS student makes UAE history as first-ever gold medallist for national swim team at Asian Youth Games

GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail student Hussein Shawky has made UAE sporting history by becoming the first-ever gold medal winner for the country’s swim team at the Asian Youth Games. The 17-year-old clinched victory in the 50m butterfly race at the third edition of the Games, held in Bahrain, and set a new record for the event. This marked a milestone moment for the UAE and GEMS Education’s commitment to nurturing homegrown sporting talent.

Hussein, an Egyptian national and a scholarship Year 13 student, has been attending GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail since 2019 after transferring from another GEMS school to join the GEMS Swimming Centre of Excellence. The Centre, operated in partnership with Hamilton Aquatics, provides elite-level coaching and tailored academic support to help student athletes reach their highest potential in the pool as well as in the classroom.

Hussein started swimming competitively with Hamilton Aquatics in their development pathway back in 2015 and went through all the performance pathway squads. After representing Egypt in many international tournaments, he became eligible to race as part of the UAE national team in 2024, with which he competed this summer in the 4th Arab Aquatics Championships in Morocco. He earned two medals in his age group and set a new Arab record in 50m freestyle. From next year, Hussein will continue his swimming journey in the USA with one of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 university swimming teams, from where he has multiple offers for scholarships.

Joanne Hearty - Wellington Cluster Director of Sport said: “We are immensely proud of Hussein’s outstanding achievement, which is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and passion for swimming. At GEMS, we are deeply committed to empowering young athletes to excel in academics and sports through platforms like the Swimming Centre of Excellence. Hussein’s success is a reflection of what can be accomplished when world-class education meets top-notch training.”

Launched in 2019, the GEMS Swimming Centre of Excellence provides structured pathways for aspiring swimmers, combining professional coaching with flexible academic schedules. The programme has quickly become one of the UAE’s most advanced platforms for preparing young athletes for national and international competitions.

Hussein Shawky said: “It feels incredible to represent the UAE and to bring home the country’s first gold in swimming. I’m grateful to my coaches, teachers, and everyone who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to chase my dream.”

Hussein’s achievement underscores the effectiveness of GEMS’s mission to identify, support, and develop exceptional talent across all fields. This historic win not only places him among the region’s top youth swimmers but also highlights the growing role of UAE-based schools in contributing to the country’s sporting success on the international stage.