Omar Ahmed El Ghazaly (born 9 February 1984 in Cairo) is an Egyptian discus thrower.
Career He originally played handball, while his siblings were on the Egyptian national swimming team.
In 1999 he was recruited by former African shot put champion Nagui Asaad, who was setting up a throwing school that also included hammer thrower Mohsen El Anany and shot putter Yasser Fathy. After having a try with the different implements, he settled for the discus and rapidly made his debut in the national team.IAAF on Omar El Ghazaly In 2000, aged 16, he was selected for the Egyptian team for the World Junior Championships, where he finished in 17th. That year he also won the Arab Championships with a throw of 53.07 m. At the 2002 World Junior Championships, a poor result of 10th was due to a shoulder injury. In 2003, his final year as a junior, he set a new junior world record of 65.88.
His personal best throw is 66.58 metres, achieved in June 2007 in Helsingborg. This is the current national record.Egyptian athletics records In 2007, he also became the first Egyptian athlete to reach the final of an event at the Athletics World Championships.
His 2008 season did not go as well due to a series of injuries.
In June 2009, El Ghazaly gave a strong showing at a meeting in Sollentuna, Sweden, registering a number of throws over 65 metres and winning with 66.34 m. This was an African season's best throw and highlighted him as a possible finalist for the 2009 World Championships in Athletics.Julin, Lennart (2009-06-26). El Ghazaly throws 66.34m; Sudanese surpremacy on the track in Sollentuna. IAAF. Retrieved 2019-10-09. He again reached the final, but could only achieve 9th place.
His 2010 season was again marred by injury.
Achievements Representing 2000World Junior ChampionshipsSantiago, Chile17th (q)Discus50.43 m2001World Youth ChampionshipsDebrecen, Hungary3rdDiscus throw (1.5 kg)61.06 mAfrican Junior ChampionshipsRéduit, Mauritius2ndDiscus throw (1.75 kg)49.79 m2002World Junior ChampionshipsKingston, Jamaica10thDiscus throw (1.75 kg)58.20 mAfrican ChampionshipsRadès, Tunisia3rdDiscus throw48.17 m2003African Junior ChampionshipsGaroua, Cameroon1stDiscus throw (1.75 kg)61.87 mUniversiadeDaegu, South Korea9thDiscus throw55.15 mAll-Africa GamesAbuja, Nigeria1stDiscus throw63.61 mAfro-Asian GamesHyderabad, India3rdDiscus throw59.77 m2004Olympic GamesAthens, Greece33rd (q)Discus throw55.53 mPan Arab GamesAlgiers, Algeria1stDiscus throw61.06 m2005Islamic Solidarity GamesMecca, Saudi Arabia1stDiscus throw59.89 mUniversiadeİzmir, Turkey2ndDiscus throw62.28 m2006African ChampionshipsBambous, Mauritius1stDiscus throw61.11 mWorld CupAthens, Greece4thDiscus throw61.50 m2007All-Africa GamesAlgiers, Algeria1stDiscus throw62.28 mUniversiadeBangkok, Thailand2ndDiscus throw60.89 mWorld ChampionshipsOsaka, Japan6thDiscus throw64.58 m2008Olympic GamesBeijing, China23rd (q)Discus throw60.24 m2009World Championships Berlin, Germany9thDiscus throw62.83 mJeux de la Francophonie Beirut, Lebanon1stDiscus throw61.01 m2010African Championships Nairobi, Kenya1stDiscus throw59.30 m
References