Mohamed Selim Zaki

In his youth, Mohamed Selim Zaki was interested in becoming a pilot and playing squash or tennis. He was introduced to equestrian by his father, however, and later pursued this sport as a pupil at the Egyptian Military Academy. Zaki had a lengthy international career in show jumping following World War II and appeared in three consecutive editions of the Olympics from 1952 through 1960. In 1952 he was 41st individually and 12th in the team event with Egypt, but greatly improved to 9th individually in 1956, although the Egyptians did not place in the team event, as Omar El-Hadary failed to complete the course. In 1960, representing what was known then as the United Arab Republic, he was joint-26th individually with Alwin Schockemöhle of Germany. The team event that year, however, was not merely an amalgamation of the individual scores, but its own separate tournament, and the national squad of Zaki, Gamal Haress, and Elwi Gazi managed to finish fourth overall, largely helped by 12 of the 18 teams failing to have all three riders complete the event.

Outside of the Olympics, Zaki competed in numerous international tournaments, but his most significant accomplishment was winning the Irish Cup twice, in 1954 and 1956. Following his military and competitive career, retiring with the rank of General, he went into business, but continued to ride horses into his 80s.