The Two Ahmeds: Tunisian Distance Stars Jaouadi and Hafnaoui Spur Each Other to NCAA Triumphs
The two swimmers who conquered the distance freestyle races at the NCAA Championships have followed strikingly similar paths: sweeping world titles in the 800 and 1500-meter freestyle at the World Championships, national hero status in their home country of Tunisia, a migration to the University of Florida and immense respect and admiration for one another built from a young age.
And of course, the same first name. Ahmed Jaouadi and Ahmed Hafnaoui joined returning sprinter Josh Liendo to catalyze the Gators’ efforts to contend for a national title. Florida briefly took the lead at the end of Friday’s competition and entered the final day only 9.5 points behind Texas. Although the Longhorns pulled away Saturday, the distance success led by the two Ahmeds was among the biggest success stories of the meet.
No one was surprised to see Jaouadi bring his run of distance success to the college format, not after his domination in a pair of World Championship finals last summer in Singapore. On the meet’s opening day, Jaouadi pulled away from two-time defending champion Zalan Sarkany with a stunning finish, and he annihilated Bobby Finke’s NCAA record by two seconds.
The inspiration for his golden run over the past nine months? Hafnaoui, whose upset win in the 400 free at the Tokyo Olympics captured his country’s heart. Two years later, Hafnaoui exceeded that feat with his two World Championship golds, the second one in a narrow finish over Finke.
“I grew up watching his race at the Olympics,” Jaouadi said. “He made me think it’s possible. Still, even in Fukuoka, I was watching. I never thought in two years’ time I would be the one standing there.”
Jaouadi recounted one of his favorite memories of Hafnaoui from years before that Olympic win when the two swimmers, both teenagers, trained together in Tunis. One day, an casual remark from Hafnaoui brought Jaouadi inspiration.
“He was always swimming in lane eight. Before the Olympics, he was always training in lane eight,” Jaouadi said. “I trained in lane seven. I remember once, he finished the practice, he got out of the water, and I took lane eight. He looked at me and told me, “I don’t know why, but I feel like you are one of the swimmers I think that can swim fast.’ It’s funny that I can still remember it.”
Ahmed Jaouadi — Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Lane eight would be a special spot for Hafnaoui moving forward as well. He barely qualified for the 400 free final in Tokyo in the eighth position before he stunned the field at night.
Years later, after Hafnaoui moved to Gainesville and attempted a comeback from his anti-doping whereabouts suspension. As he ramped up his training, he watched without an ounce of surprise as Jaouadi exploded on the global level.
“I was expecting that, to be honest,” Hafnaoui said. “I know he trains so hard. He’s doing amazing stuff. He just doesn’t say it in public. I know other swimmers say what they’re doing in practices, but Ahmed does something impossible. We try to keep practicing and training in silence until we reach our goals.”
Training with Jaouadi as well as world-record holders Finke and Katie Ledecky provided Hafnaoui with the confidence that he would be able to succeed in his comeback. That belief in himself fueled Hafnaoui into jumping out in front of the 500 free NCAA final, knowing he could hang on. Indeed he did, even with Jaouadi charging at the end.
“After two years off, I was doubting myself,” Hafnaoui said. “Will I make the podium? Will I make the final? But whenever I see Ahmed, with how he’s doing in practice, I’m kind of sure I’m going to do well because I’m swimming with him.”
Now, the two swimmers move forward with their eyes on international goals in the long course pool. They plan to return to college competition next year, and Jaouadi believes that given their current trajectory and success working together, they can accomplish something historic. The NCAA record of 4:02.31, an otherworldly time posted by Leon Marchand two years ago, is on his mind.
“If the race had started faster with Rex (Maurer) and Zalan, I think we would have been able to go faster,” Jaouadi said. “I don’t say this often, but I think 4:02 is possible, and sub-4:00 is totally possible. We just need to get more used to the yards. This is my first year, his first year, our first NCAA swims, so I think sub-4:00 is possible if the race goes well.”
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