Malak Tawfik, an incoming first-year student at UC Berkeley, began diving at age five. She competed in the Olympics at 16 and is now joining Berkeley's diving team.
From Cairo to the Olympics
Malak grew up in Cairo, Egypt. Her family often visited Gezira Sporting Club, a large outdoor facility. When she saw people diving, she wanted to try it. She started training two to three times a week and quickly showed talent.
Diving is not a common sport for girls in Cairo. While Egypt is a Muslim-majority country, views on women wearing swimsuits in public vary. Malak's family was open-minded, seeing it as a healthy sport.
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Start Your News DetoxAfter school, Malak took the bus to the club to train daily. During summer, she trained all day. She loved the sport and never quit, even when it was challenging. By 14, she was competing in the 10-meter platform event. She often put in extra practice time.
Diving can be frightening. Malak fears hitting her head on the board. Learning new dives can be painful if she lands incorrectly. However, practice helps her overcome these fears.
In 2024, Malak competed for Egypt in the women’s 10-meter platform diving event at the Paris Olympics. She qualified in December 2023, giving her only a year to prepare. She tried to enjoy every moment, remembering her dad's advice: "It's the power of now." At 16, she was the youngest diver, which reduced her pressure.
During the Olympics, Malak received negative comments online from some Egyptians. They criticized her for wearing a swimsuit, ignoring her performance and hard work. A rumor even spread that she had drowned due to her low placing. Malak finds humor in these comments and is proud of her achievements.
A New Chapter at Berkeley
Malak visited Berkeley last May and met with diving coach Pei Lin. She felt the coach was passionate about diving. She also met the diving team, noting their close bond and positive atmosphere. This was important to her, as she values good people and strong connections.
Berkeley's academic excellence and beautiful campus also attracted her. She is considering a business degree but plans to enjoy her time at the university as it unfolds.
