Ismail Ahmed recognised by Guinness as oldest player to score a basketball triple-double

Ismail Ahmed has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest basketball player to record a triple-double in a single game, achieving the feat at the age of 49 years and 243 days.

The Egyptian forward, who plays for Lebanese club Al Riyadi, announced the achievement on his official Facebook page on Monday. He posted a photograph of himself receiving his Guinness World Records certificate during half-time in the decisive Lebanese Basketball League final between Al Riyadi and Hekmeh.

The presentation came on a memorable night for Ahmed and his club, with Al Riyadi completing a dominant 100-79 victory over Hekmeh to secure the Lebanese league title. The game was the seventh and deciding match of the best-of-seven final series.

Ahmed had set the record on 24 May, when Al Riyadi faced Homenetmen Beirut in a Lebanese Basketball League fixture. His performance made him the oldest player to complete a triple-double in one game, adding another landmark to a professional career that has stretched across several decades.

The 49-year-old is regarded as one of the most distinguished living figures in Arab basketball. Much of his career has been spent with Al Riyadi in Lebanon and Al Ittihad Alexandria in Egypt, where he has continued to collect major honours well beyond the age at which most players have retired.

Ahmed has won the Lebanese league title 17 times. Sixteen of those championships came with Al Riyadi, while the other was secured during his time with Homenetmen Beirut.

He has also claimed the Egyptian league championship three times with Al Ittihad Alexandria. His success has extended beyond domestic competition, with two Asian club championships won with Al Riyadi in 2011 and 2024.

Those continental triumphs came in the leading club competition in Asia and underlined Ahmed’s enduring influence at the highest level of the sport. His latest record was achieved during a period in which he was still contributing to a team capable of winning major silverware.

Ahmed has also represented Egypt internationally. He won two bronze medals with the national team at the African Basketball Championship, adding international recognition to an honours list built across club and country.

The Guinness certificate was therefore presented as Al Riyadi celebrated another league triumph, linking Ahmed’s individual achievement with the club’s success in the most significant match of the Lebanese season.

His career with Al Riyadi and Al Ittihad Alexandria, together with his achievements in Lebanese, Egyptian and Asian basketball and his medals with Egypt, has made him an influential figure for younger generations across the Arab sporting world.