Sudanese swimmer Ziyad Saleem won a gold medal in the 100-m butterfly at the opening of the 2025 Africa Aquatics Zone III Swimming Championships, held on 16 October 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.
According to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), Saleem also won the gold medal in the 200-m backstroke, while Adam Ahmed claimed gold in the 800-m freestyle, and Rana Hani earned a bronze medal in the 50-m backstroke. Hani later secured her second bronze medal for Sudan.
This marks the third time the 22-year-old swimmer has won a gold medal at the championship, which is taking place from 16 to 19 October 2025 at the Kasarani Aquatic Stadium in Nairobi.
Saleem has achieved notable success in recent years, winning multiple medals at the African Championships. In 2023, he earned two golds and one silver, while in 2024, he won gold medals in the 100-m and 200-m backstroke and a silver in the 50-m backstroke — his first gold medals for Sudan in that competition. Saleem holds dual citizenship — the US and Sudan, but competes internationally for Sudan.
Saleem, Ahmed, and Hani will compete in various other swimming races in the competition. Saleem will participate in the backstroke, along with several other events. Ahmed will participate in the freestyle races, while Hani will participate in the freestyle and butterfly races.
Saleem, Hani and Ahmed were amongst six Sudanese competitors, including two representing the Refugee Olympic Team, represented Sudan at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, which took place in Paris, France from from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
