CAIRO: He's among Egypt's most prominent boxers in the last decade. His extraordinary talent empowered by his tenacious determination and perseverance have earned him almost every title in the boxing world. At the age of 29, he's enormously eager to conclude his career with an Olympic medal in Beijing this summer. He's Mohamed Heikal, and he is a strong favorite to strike an Olympic medal in his weight 75 km. "My ultimate dream is to win a medal for Egypt in the summer Olympics in Beijing this summer, Heikal told Daily News Egypt. Heikal has just qualified to the Olympics, after he has won the gold medal in the African Championship held in Algeria last month. "It is my fifth title, and I have to admit that it most difficult, Heikal said. "In the semi-final, I had to face Algeria's top boxer, who was backed by a large crowd. However, I managed to control my nerve throughout the three rounds to claim a spot in the final, upon which I won to claim my fifth African title - and to secure my qualification for the next Olympic Games, Heikal added. Heikal has been a member in Egypt's boxing team since 1994 under the command of head coach Dr Abdel Aziz Ghoniem. At the age of 17, he became the youngest ever boxer in Egypt's history to attain the gold medal in the African Championship. Among his notable achievements was winning a bronze medal at the World Championship three years ago in China, alongside a golden medal in the Mediterranean-all games in Spain the same year. "The year 2005 was definitely the best year ever since I pursued my professional boxing career. It was just a great honor to become among the top three boxers in my weight, which is 75km, and even to see the flag of Egypt being raised during the medal ceremony. I have to concede that it was a very touch moment, Heikal said. Heikal is eager to reconcile the results achieved in the last two Olympic Games next summer, where he believes that he has the potential to get in the medals this time. "In the Olympic Games you're facing the best boxers worldwide, you just have to go out there with a very strong belief in your technical and physical abilities, upon which you could beat any boxer you can encounter throughout the different stages. "I will face the toughest challenge from Russian and Cuban boxers in Beijing. However, I'm set to beat who ever I confront, Heikal said.
