Two-time World Championship gold medalist Ahmed Jaouadi was recently awarded the First Class of the Tunisian National Order of Merit in Sports, one of the nation’s top civilian honors, as a result of his breakout performance at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
The National Order of Merit was established in 1998 to honor exceptional achievement in a variety of fields, such as education, culture, health, and sports. It is divided into five classes, with First Class (Grand Officer) ranking just below the Grand Cordon (the highest honor), and thus it is one of the most prestigious state awards in Tunisia.
The 18-year-old was met by President Kaïs Saïed at the Carthage Palace earlier this month, where he was awarded the First Class of the Tunisian National Order of Merit in Sports for his historic double-gold medal performance in Singapore, where Jaouadi won world titles in the 800 and 1500 freestyles, establishing himself as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
In the process, Jaouadi swam a time of 7:36.88 in the 800 free, breaking the textile world record. The time made him a World Championships medalist, joining fellow Tunisian stars Ous Mellouli and Ahmed Hafnaoui as the only Tunisian swimmers to earn medals at a World Championship.
The award comes with rare company. Jaouadi is only the second swimmer in Tunisian history to be awarded the First Class National Order of Merit, joining Hafnaoui, who was awarded the medal in 2021 in the wake of his gold medal performance in the 400 freestyle at the Tokyo Games.
Jaouadi is headed to Gainesville next year as he has committed to join the University of Florida, and will suit up for Anthony Nesty’s Gators next year.
Wow, congratulations Ahmed!!!
Quite an honor!