King Mohammed VI received today, at the Royal Palace in Rabat, Moroccan mountaineer Nawal Sfendla following her recent achievement of climbing Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse in a single continuous expedition.
During the audience, the Monarch awarded Sfendla the Wissam Al Moukafaa Al Watania at the rank of Officer, in recognition of her sporting achievement and international performance.
Sfendla’s accomplishment places her among a small group of climbers who have successfully completed the demanding double ascent of Everest and Lhotse in one attempt.
Her feat has drawn attention within Morocco’s sporting community for its physical and logistical difficulty, as well as the endurance required at extreme altitude.
The Royal reception also reflects continued attention given to sport as a domain linked to human development and social cohesion. It further aligns with longstanding attention to Moroccan women in different fields of national achievement.
Prior to the audience, the King sent a message of congratulations to Sfendla, commending her determination and sustained effort behind the performance.
In his message, King Mohammed VI expressed “deep pride” in what he described as a major sporting milestone, noting that Sfendla’s achievement marks the first time a Moroccan woman has climbed both peaks consecutively.
“We have learned with great pride of the major sporting achievement you have recorded by climbing the two adjacent peaks of Everest and Lhotse, an unprecedented feat achieved by a Moroccan woman in ascending these two global summits in one attempt,” the royal message stated.
