Egyptian karateka Feryal Abdelaziz (3rd R), who won the gold medal in women's +61kg Kumite at Tokyo 2020, is honoured with cheers from Egyptian fans upon arrival at Cairo International Airport in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 12, 2021. Two Egyptian champions who won gold and silver medals in Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 received a red-carpet reception upon their arrival at Cairo International Airport. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
CAIRO, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Two Egyptian Olympians who won gold and silver medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games received a red-carpet reception upon their arrival at the Cairo International Airport.
Joyful Egyptian fans gathered at the Cairo Airport to welcome Egyptian karateka Feryal Ashraf Abdelaziz, gold medalist in the women's +61kg Kumite, and Ahmed Elgendy, silver medalist in the men's modern pentathlon.
Egypt achieved a total of six medals, including one gold, one silver, and four bronzes at the Tokyo Olympics that concluded on Sunday, marking the largest number of medals at an Olympic Games.
Abdelaziz, the first female gold medalist in Egypt's Olympic history, brought Egypt the first gold since Athens 2004 and the eighth in its Olympic history since 1912.
"I'm very proud of her. All Egyptians are very proud of her achievement," Ahmed Samy, a member of Abdelaziz's extended family told Xinhua as he waited at the arrival gate of the airport.
The 30-year-old relative added that her family members, friends and fans have waited eagerly at the airport to salute the champion.
"She has worked hard over the past years to become a champion. She really deserves the win," he said as he waved the Egyptian flag.
Upon their arrival at the arrival gate, Abdelaziz and Elgendy paraded their medals on two open-top buses, with happy fans chanting around them.
Amr Khaled, Elgendy's friend, said he came to the airport to give "Egypt's champion" a proper reception.
"Elgendy trained hard over the past few months because he had a goal, which is winning a medal for Egypt. I'm extremely proud of him," the young man told Xinhua.
He added that Elgendy is always looking for victory, noting that he previously won many medals in a number of international, regional and local tournaments.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy, told reporters at the airport that the Egyptian Olympic medalists have honored Egypt and the Egyptians with their achievements.
He added that the government has plans to build a generation of Olympians, noting that Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi provided the Egyptian Olympians and the Egyptian Olympic Committee with unprecedented support.
Egypt's total medals throughout its 23 participations in the Olympic Games since 1912 rose to 38, eight golds, 11 silvers, and 19 bronzes. Enditem
