A Cork mam has spoken of her pride as her conjoined twins won gold for Ireland at the weekend.
Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf, 12, are in a celebratory mood this week after picking up six medals at the Disabled Sports England Junior Championship in Coventry, reports Cork Beo.
The Carrigtwohill lads have now set their sights on the Paralympics with their mam Angie saying they've been sports-mad since they were five. She described an "emotional but beautiful" weekend as their milestone success coincided with the date she found out that they were conjoined.
She said: "They want to become Paralympians in the future. However, with that joy of winning, the whole weekend was just very emotional but beautiful."
"The date 2nd July marked 13 years since I found out the boys were conjoined, it was a poignant year for us and we were just emotional on Saturday at the Athletics Game."
The lads' impressive medal haul was actually their first time competing outside of Ireland, and they're showing no signs of slowing down as Angie revealed they want to expand onto the track next year.
"The boys are determined to get into track racing though - they are currently doing really well in the javelin, shot put, and discus. But the boys are just so determined to make sure they get into track racing. It will be a great challenge but they can do it, they are focused, and serious about it."
"Over the weekend Hussein said to me 'Mum, I don't know how but we are going to take part in track racing next year'," Angie said.
"Track chairs need to be specifically made and are quite expensive but the boys are built for track racing."
Hassan and Hussein were born joined at the chest to the pelvis - sharing a liver, gut, and bladder. The two have fought through everything that came their way - including a tough fourteen-hour operation to separate them in April 2010 at Great Ormond Street hospital in London.
The surgery left the boys with only a leg each but has allowed them to lead very independent lives and fulfill their dreams of athletics. The 12-year-olds have their sights firmly set on setting Ireland at the very highest level and are taking on the course to make this dream come true.
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