Abu-Heif was one of the best Egyptian athletes ever. In 2001, he won a prize as the best swimmer of the 20th century.
Abdel-Latif Abu-Heif was born in 1929 in the Anfoushi area of Alexandria. His father was a primary school teacher and Abu-Heif was the tenth of twelve sons in the family. As a boy, he spent a lot of his time swimming in the sea. At the age of ten, he won the Egyptian primary school swimming championship. After this, he moved to Cairo and worked with a professional trainer at al-Ahli Club.
In 1951, Abu-Heif became internationally famous when he swam across the English Channel. In 1953, he crossed the Channel again. This time he broke the record by crossing in 13 hours and 45 minutes. When he returned to Egypt, the people welcomed him as a national hero.
Abu-Heif continued to train for seven hours a day and to swim in long-distance races all over the world. In 1963, in Toronto, he beat Harry William, one of the greatest swimmers in the world. In the same year, he won the Montreal swimming race after he swam for 30 hours without a break. All the other swimmers had given up because they were exhausted. Egypt was so proud of its world-famous swimmer that they gave his name to a beach at al-Anfoushi.
In 1966, Abu-Heif decided to retire from swimming. However, President Nasser asked him to think again. So Abu-Heif continued to swim and win prizes until 1975, when he finally retired at the age of 46. Abu-Heif was also famous for his generosity. He gave his prize money for swimming the English Channel to the family of a British swimmer who had drowned while he was crossing the Channel. He also gave money to the family of a French swimmer who injured his back during a race in France. Abu-Heif died in April 2008.
Abdel-Latif Abu-Heif was born in 1929 in the Anfoushi area of Alexandria. His father was a primary school teacher and Abu-Heif was the tenth of twelve sons in the family. As a boy, he spent a lot of his time swimming in the sea. At the age of ten, he won the Egyptian primary school swimming championship. After this, he moved to Cairo and worked with a professional trainer at al-Ahli Club.
In 1951, Abu-Heif became internationally famous when he swam across the English Channel. In 1953, he crossed the Channel again. This time he broke the record by crossing in 13 hours and 45 minutes. When he returned to Egypt, the people welcomed him as a national hero.
Abu-Heif continued to train for seven hours a day and to swim in long-distance races all over the world. In 1963, in Toronto, he beat Harry William, one of the greatest swimmers in the world. In the same year, he won the Montreal swimming race after he swam for 30 hours without a break. All the other swimmers had given up because they were exhausted. Egypt was so proud of its world-famous swimmer that they gave his name to a beach at al-Anfoushi.
In 1966, Abu-Heif decided to retire from swimming. However, President Nasser asked him to think again. So Abu-Heif continued to swim and win prizes until 1975, when he finally retired at the age of 46. Abu-Heif was also famous for his generosity. He gave his prize money for swimming the English Channel to the family of a British swimmer who had drowned while he was crossing the Channel. He also gave money to the family of a French swimmer who injured his back during a race in France. Abu-Heif died in April 2008.
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