Maher Ben Hlima
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 Maher Ben Hlima at Záhorácka dvadsiatka 2023 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Poland /  Tunisia |
| Born | 24 July 1989 |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
Event | Racewalking |
| Club | RKS Łódź |
| Coached by | Andrzej Chylinski |
Maher Ben Hlima (born 24 July 1989[1]) is a Polish racewalker of Tunisian origin.
Maher Ben Hlima won the 2007 African Junior Championship in the 10,000 m walk, representing Tunisia.[2] In 2008, he participated in the World Junior Athletics Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, over the same distance, where he failed to finish the race due to disqualification.[3] He then interrupted his sports career and moved to Poland, where, among other things, he opened a transport company.[4] In 2019 he obtained Polish citizenship, and in 2021 he returned to racing.[5] Since 31 May 2023, he is eligible to represent Poland internationally.[1]
In 2023, he won the Polish championship in the 10,000 m and silver medals in the 5000 m (indoor), 20 km and 35 km distances.[6] At the 69th Janusz Kusociński Memorial, he set a Polish record in the 1-mile walk with a time of 5:35.49.[7] In 2024 he won the title of Polish indoor champion at 5000 m,[8] Polish vice-championship at 20 km[9] and gold at 10,000 m.[10] He also competed in the world team championships (29th place in team with Olga Chojecka)[11] and the European 20 km championships (7th place).[12]
He competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where he reached 29th place at the 20 km distance[13] and 16th place in team with Olga Chojecka at the mixed relay marathon.[14][15]
Since 2023 he has represented the RKS Lodz club (coach: Lech Krakowiak; before: Andrzej Chylinski), and earlier KS Ultra Team Lódz.[6]
Competition record
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representing Tunisia | |||||
| 2007 | African Junior Championships | Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | 1st | 10,000 m | 53:09.98[2] |
| 2008 | World Junior Championships | Bydgoszcz, Poland | DSQ | 10,000 m | DSQ[3] |
| Representing Poland | |||||
| 2023 | Polish Indoor Championships | Toruń, Poland | 2nd | 5000 m | 20:33.44[16] |
| Polish Championships | Warsaw, Poland | 2nd | 20 km | 1:25.01[17] | |
| Polish Championships | Dudince, Slovakia | 2nd | 35 km | 2:43.38[18] | |
| Polish Championships | Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland | 1st | 10,000 m | 40:35.48[19] | |
| 2024 | Polish Indoor Championships | Wrocław, Poland | 1st | 5000 m | 19:37.59[19] |
| World Race Walking Team Championships | Antalya, Turkey | 29th | marathon, mixed relay (in team with Olga Chojecka) |
3:07:31[11] | |
| Polish Championships | Warsaw, Poland | 2nd | 20 km | 1:23:28[20][9] | |
| European Championships | Rome, Italy | 7th | 20 km | 1:21:12[12] | |
| Polish Championships | Bydgoszcz, Poland | 1st | 10,000 m | 40:33.56[10] | |
| Summer Olympics | Paris, France | 29th | 20 km | 1:22:34[13] | |
| 16th | marathon, mixed relay (in team with Olga Chojecka) |
3:00:55[14] | |||
