Tokyo Olympics: Tunisian swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui wins gold in men's 400 freestyle

The 18-year-old in the outside lane after being the slowest in qualifying, produced a blistering finish to pip Australia's Jack McLoughlin to gold with a time of 3:43.36.

A huge moment for #TUN!

Teenager Ahmed Hafnaoui takes surprise gold in the 400m men's freestyle final - their third ever in swimming.@fina1908 #Swimming pic.twitter.com/BMFuawyXC6

— Olympics (@Olympics) July 25, 2021

WHAT A FINISH.

From lane 8, Tunisia's Ahmed Hafnaoui wins Olympic gold and @TeamUSA's Kieran Smith gets the bronze. #TokyoOlympics

📺 NBC
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📱 NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/7it1V0dFKm

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 25, 2021

It was a major breakthrough for the young man, who has little pedigree on the world stage. Australia’s Jack McLoughlin settled for silver after leading much of the race. While, the U.S swimmer Kieran Smith won bronze.

Following the victory, Ahmed Hafnaoui stated, "I just can't believe that, it's amazing. I felt better in the water this morning than yesterday and that's it. I'm the Olympic champion now”.

"I just put my head in the water and that's it. I just can't believe it. It's a dream come true," he added.

"I'm Olympic champion now... I just can't believe."

Tunisia's Ahmed Hafnaoui shocks the men's 400m IM field coming from lane 8 to win Olympic gold. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/LklNnYtAtA

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 25, 2021

Now, Hafnaoui’s gold medal is Tunisia’s third medal overall in swimming, marking an incredible moment for the teenage and his home country.