Khadr El-Touni
Khedr El Touny خضر التوني | |
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Born | December 15, 1916 |
Died | September 22, 1956[1] Cairo, Egypt | (aged 39)
Nationality | Egyptian |
Medal record | ||
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Representing the Egypt | ||
Men's weightlifting | ||
Olympic Games | ||
1936 Berlin | -75 kg |
Khedr Sayed El Touny (
1936 Olympics
Eltouny was one of the sensations of the
After winning the middleweight class gold medal,[3] Eltouny continued to compete for another 45 minutes, finally exceeding the total of the German silver medalist by 35 kg. The 20-year-old Eltouny lifted a total of 387.5 kg, while the German lifted 352.5 kg. Not only had Eltouny lifted more than his middleweight competition, but he actually finished having lifted 15 kg more than the light-heavyweight gold medalist; a feat only Eltouny has accomplished until this day. Eltouny's new world records stood for an unprecedented thirteen years.[4]
Fascinated by Eltouny's performance, Adolf Hitler, who was watching from the stands, rushed down to greet this human miracle. Prior to the competition, Hitler was said to have been sure that Rudolf Ismayr and Adolf Wagner would embarrass all other opponents. While awarding Eltouny with the gold medal, Hitler told him: "Egypt should be proud of you. I wish you were German. I hope you consider Germany your second home". Hitler was so impressed by his domination in the middleweight class that he ordered a street named after him in Berlin.[5]
Upon returning to Egypt, Eltouny received a 1,000 L.E. cash bonus, as well as a free pass from the tramway company. Eltouny cashed in the policy in 1953 and built a house in Helwan, which is still occupied by the Eltouny family.[6]
1948 Olympics
Eltouny could have taken part in the 1940 and 1944 Olympics, but World War II put an end to those dreams. Finally in 1948, when the games resumed in London, Eltouny was able to compete again. Eltouny fell ill the night before the games, and would require surgery. Doctors ordered Eltouny not to compete, but frustrated about missing the prior two Olympic Games, Eltouny refused to follow doctors' orders. Well past his prime at the age of 32, and in terrible pain, Eltouny attempted to win a medal once again. Unfortunately, Eltouny failed to win a medal this time. Although he tied for third place, he lost the bronze medal on tiebreak. Nevertheless, Eltouny won the hearts of the Egyptian people with his determination. Immediately after the competition, Eltouny was rushed to a nearby hospital for surgery.[7][8][9]
Death and legacy
Eltouny died in 1956 by
See also
References
- ^ "مصرع خضر التوني". Al-Ahram (in Arabic). Cairo. September 23, 1956. pp. 1, 10.
- ^ Khedr Eltouny - A Portrait
- ^ Weightlifting At The 1936 Summer Olympics[permanent dead link]
- ^ 10 Transcendent Olympic Moments
- ^ Hitler honors Eltouny
- ^ Al Ahram[permanent dead link]
- ^ Khedr Eltouny - A Portrait
- ^ Official 1936 Olympics signature book Archived 2008-12-01 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 1936 Olympics book Archived 2008-12-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Khedr El-Touny square Helwan
- ^ Sports Reference Khadr El Touni