Habiba Marzouk: My Family Is the Reason for My Success

Dressed in a Pharaonic Costume and Performing to the Tunes of "Luxor Baladna"… Habiba Marzouk Captivates Millions

Written by: Salwa Salah

Throughout her journey of breaking records in rhythmic gymnastics, champion Habiba Marzouk has overcome numerous challenges and obstacles. Her ultimate goal was always to achieve the dream she had envisioned for years. At just 21 years old, she managed to reach the Olympic Games at a remarkably young age.

A Dream That Seemed Impossible
"I started gymnastics when I was three years old, reached the top rank in Africa, and represented Egypt in multiple Olympic competitions," Habiba began as she spoke about her journey in rhythmic gymnastics.

She added, "My passion for gymnastics started when I used to accompany my mother to the club and watch children practicing rhythmic gymnastics. I told my mother that I wanted to join the sport, and I specifically chose rhythmic gymnastics because of my love for music and artistic movement."

The "Golden Butterfly," as she is often called, pointed out that qualifying for the Olympics once seemed like a distant and difficult dream. She recalled how she had frequently told her coach that reaching the Olympics was nearly impossible. However, her coach reassured her, saying, "This dream is within reach and can be achieved with perseverance and determination." From that moment on, Habiba dedicated herself to training with the goal of representing Egypt at the Olympic Games.

Balancing Medicine and Gymnastics
Habiba emphasized that her family has been the foundation of all her successes. She stated, "Without my family, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve anything. Every success I have accomplished is because of them. Without their support, I would have given up at the very beginning."

Since childhood, Habiba has been committed to excelling both academically and athletically. She pursued this ambition by enrolling in medical school while also earning the title of African Champion in rhythmic gymnastics. She explained that her passion for studying medicine stemmed from witnessing the injuries that gymnasts often endure.

"I enrolled in medical school because I always wished for Egyptian universities to have a dedicated department for sports-related injuries. I wanted to study in such a program to help athletes recover from injuries sustained during training or competitions," she said.

Habiba admitted that balancing medical studies and gymnastics training is challenging, but she has been able to manage it with the unwavering support of her family and the encouragement of her professors.

A Pharaonic Performance in Andalusia
During a performance in Andalusia, Habiba wore a costume inspired by ancient Egyptian civilization while performing to the iconic song "Luxor Baladna… Balad Sowah" ("Luxor, Our Homeland… Land of Tourists"). She explained that her deep pride in Egypt’s Pharaonic heritage motivated her choice of attire. Additionally, each contestant from different continents was required to wear an outfit representing their home country.

Challenges and Aspirations
Speaking about the obstacles she faces, the "Golden Butterfly" acknowledged that she often encounters discouraging comments from some members of the audience. She believes this is due to the lack of widespread popularity of gymnastics in Egypt.

"I think gymnastics, in general, does not have a strong fan base compared to other sports. The main reason for this is the lack of promotion and media coverage. I hope to see more attention given to gymnastics in the future," she stated.

Habiba also noted that one of the toughest aspects of rhythmic gymnastics is the intense training schedule. Gymnasts train at least five days a week, with each session lasting between four and five hours.

"Qualifying for the Olympics was a major challenge for me, especially since it happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were very few spectators present, which made the experience even more difficult," she added.

Despite these challenges, Habiba Marzouk remains determined to continue excelling both in her medical career and in the sport she loves, proving that dedication and perseverance can make even the most impossible dreams come true.