Former Israeli champion swimmer Ayham Nasser was shot and killed in Tira over the weekend, in what police are investigating as a murder. He was rushed to the hospital and died the next day.
“The Israel Swimming Association is shocked to learn of the death of Ayham Nasser, an excellent backstroke swimmer who achieved many achievements in the Israeli junior, youth and adult championships,” the national swimming federation said.
Nasser, 25, was an Israeli Junior Champion and Junior Record holder in the 50 meter backstrokes. As an adult swimmer, he competed for Hapoel Dolphin Netanya and was the Israeli national championships runner-up in the 50 meter backstroke.
He won the 50 backstroke at the 2019 Israeli Junior Championships and later became a silver medalist in that race behind European Champion Jonatan Kopelev.
His last recorded meet was the 2021 Israeli Winter Championships.
More recently, Nasser was working as a swim coach.
Police say that Nasser had no known ties to criminal activity, but any motive for the shooting has not yet been announced.
A lot of downvotes
May the memory of Ahyam Nasser continue to endure as a blessing.
Just horrible. Prayers.
May his memory be for a blessing