Egyptian basketball veteran Ismail Ahmed has entered the Guinness World Records after becoming the oldest player to record a triple-double in a competitive game, achieving the feat at the age of 49 years and 243 days.
Ahmed, who plays for Lebanese club Al Riyadi Beirut, announced the achievement on his official Facebook page on Monday. He shared a photograph of himself receiving his Guinness World Records certificate during half-time of the decisive Lebanese Basketball League final between Al Riyadi Beirut and Sagesse.
The presentation came on a memorable night for Ahmed and his club, who secured another league title by beating Sagesse 100-79 in the seventh and deciding game of the best-of-seven final series.
Ahmed set the record on 24 May in Al Riyadi Beirut’s league match against Homenetmen Beirut. His performance made him the oldest basketball player to complete a triple-double in a single game, adding another landmark to a career that has spanned several decades.
The Egyptian is regarded as one of the enduring figures of Arab basketball, having built a career filled with domestic and continental success with Al Riyadi Beirut and Egyptian club Al Ittihad Alexandria.
He has won the Lebanese Basketball League 17 times during his career. Sixteen of those championships came with Al Riyadi Beirut, while one was secured with Homenetmen Beirut.
Ahmed has also won the Egyptian league three times with Al Ittihad Alexandria, further underlining his longevity and influence across the region’s leading domestic competitions.
His achievements extend beyond national leagues. With Al Riyadi Beirut, he won the Asian Basketball Champions League, the continent’s premier club competition, twice in 2011 and 2024.
At international level, Ahmed has collected two bronze medals with Egypt at the AfroBasket tournament. Those honours add an international dimension to a career that has made him an influential figure for younger generations across Arab sport.
The Guinness recognition was therefore delivered alongside another major success for the veteran, as Al Riyadi Beirut completed their latest Lebanese title-winning campaign with a dominant performance in the final match. At 49, Ahmed continues to compete at the highest level while adding to a record of achievements built over many years in Lebanon, Egypt and Asian basketball.
