Egyptian wrestler Ahmed Baghdouda’s disappearance on 20 May has ignited a social media frenzy in Egypt and the Arab world, following reports of his escape to France. The incident took place while Baghdouda, 22, was in Tunisia to participate in the African Wrestling Championship held last week, eventually snagging the silver medal in the 63-kilogram Greco-Roman category – his second silver in two years. The Egyptian Wrestling Federation issued a statement on Facebook in response to the growing concerns, ensuring that the matter is under investigation and that it will take any necessary legal actions. THE DAY OF THE DISAPPEARANCE President of the Egyptian Wrestling Federation, Essam El-Nawar, took to primetime television to give an account of the athlete’s mysterious departure. In a live interview with television presenter Lamis El-Hadidy on 23 May, El-Nawar explained that on the last day of the Egyptian delegation’s stay in Tunisia, Baghdouda requested to exchange currencies to buy gifts for friends and family. “He returned explaining that he required his passport to exchange currencies…He took it and headed down again. He has been missing since then,” El-Nawar added. His bag was found empty, indicating…
Egypt Divided Over Silver-Medal Winning Wrestler Who Fled to France
May 24, 2023
