This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Athlete of the Week: Track Star Yehia "YuYu" Fahmy

The junior runner had a big week for the Bridgemen track team.

Yehia Fahmy, better known to his friends and peers as “YuYu,” is from Egypt and was born in Brussels. YuYu, the co-captain of the track team, had a big week for the Fort Lee Bridgemen, earning him Athlete of the Week honors.

At a meet on Tuesday against Ridgefield Park, YuYu won three individual events--the 1600 meters with a time of 4:50.0, the 800 meter run with a time of 2:08.4 and the 3200 meter run, recording a time of 10:56.1. 

The 3200 isn’t YuYu’s specialty, but he managed to hold on for the win, and it's moments like that help explain why he is the team leader in points. The Bridgemen lost the meet by a score of 93-47, but bounced back on Thursday against Westwood.

Find out what's happening in Fort Leewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In that meet, YuYu was at it again, winning the 1600 meter run with a time of 4:57.5 and the 800 meters (2:08.8), and capping it off with another win in the 3200, recording a time of 10:53.0. Fort Lee went on to win the meet by a score of 70-69 in what turned out to be an intensely close competition.

 YuYu’s success can be attributed to his passion for running at a young age.

Find out what's happening in Fort Leewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I've always loved running," he said. "In elementary school, I was always the kid that loved racing those couple of warm up laps during physical education. When I entered high school as a freshman, I only planned to run one season of track, being spring. I wanted to play basketball, but after changing my mind a few times, I ended up running winter track. I loved it from the start. Of course the workouts are gruesome and it’s very tough mentally and physically, but its more than worth it and I wouldn't give it up for anything.”

Head track coach Ed Garrison knows how much YuYu loves the sport.

“YuYu is extremely competitive and hates to lose," said Garrison. "He has a race plan for every race he runs, and he attempts to give 100 percent to achieve the goals that he has set for himself.  As a result of his success, he has developed an 'inner desire' to continue to get better and strive to break school records in the distance events.”

Yu Yu has enjoyed running for his coach and respects him a great deal.

“Running for Coach Garrison has been great this season," he said. "His workouts, training and tips have helped me grow as a runner, and I definitely feel like I'm getting stronger and becoming a better competitor. My first season as a freshman was his first season coaching at Fort Lee and we've worked well together ever since. We're very fortunate to have him at Fort Lee High School, and I can't take credit for my success without forgetting to mention and thank him for all his help.”

YuYu and the Bridgemen have some big meets coming up in the next few weeks, including the Big North Championship, Bergen County Championship and New Jersey Champiionship meets.

When YuYu is not running, he enjoys playing basketball, soccer and hanging out with his friends and family.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?