Egyptian swimmer Farida Osman won Best Female Athlete from Africa at the ANOC Awards 2017 in Prague on Thursday, a few months after she made national history by winning Egypt's first-ever medal at the World Championships. "Being the first Egyptian ever to win a medal at World Championships is so pleasing," she said after receiving her trophy at the event on Thursday. "It's not only a historic moment for me but also for like Egyptian women, Arab and African women in general.” "I'd like to thank my family, my dad is here with me tonight. I'd like to thank my coach, the Egyptian Olympic Committee and my country for supporting me along this way," she added. The 22-year-old won the bronze medal in the women's 50m butterfly final in Budapest in July after she achieved a time of 25.39s, and claiming the country's first-ever medal. She also broke the African record for the event for the third time, topping her previous mark set at the semis by 0.25s. She missed the silver by 0.01s to Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands, while the gold was claimed by Sarah Sjoestroem of Sweden, who swam a 24.60s. The Association Of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) award-winners were decided in September by the ANOC jury, comprised of representatives from each of the Continental Associations, the ANOC Athletes' Commission Chair, ASOIF President, AIOWF President and ANOC Secretary General.
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