With still three days of finals to go at the 2013 Egyptian National Swimming Championships, South Carolina sophomore Marwan el Kamash has emerged as one of the meet’s stars, especially with Farida Osman absent.
El Kamash has already taken wins in the 200, 400, and 800 long course meters freestyles at the meet all of which have been in lifetime bests. He swam a 1:49.90 in the 200 free, which is about six-tenths of a second shy of his own National Record. He then took down the Egyptian Records in the 400m free with a 3:52.47 and the 800m free in 8:02.26.
The most significant outcome of those swims for El Kamash, internationally speaking, is that it puts him ahead in a loaded Egyptian distance field; he beat country mate Ahmed Akram in those races, which included both under the old National Record in the 800.
Collegiately, South Carolina head coach McGee Moody is building himself a great middle-to-distance group with El Kamash and All-American Michael Flach, and that’s showing in South Carolina’s recruiting: they had a lot of great middle-to-distance freestylers sign this fall.
Among other standouts at the meet include Ahmed Bahgat Mousa, an 18-year old who won the men’s 200 IM in 2:05.44.
As mentioned, the country’s premier butterflier and sprint freestyler Farida Osman wasn’t at this meet, as she now trains and attends school at Cal, but in her stead, a pair of teenage teammates swam very well. 18-year old Reem Mohamed Hussein won the girls’ 100 free in 58.37.
The men’s 100 fly title went to Marwan Adel Ossman with a 54.80, which is about a second shy of his own National Record.
Marwan El Kamash is actually the record holder for the 200 Free for Egypt as well. That is his record.