Maher Ben Hlima

Maher Ben Hlima (born July 24, 1989 ) is a Polish racewalker of Tunisian origin.

Career
Maher Ben Hlima won the 2007 African Junior Championship in the 10,000 m walk, representing Tunisia. 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. He then interrupted his sports career and moved to Poland, where, among other things, he opened a transport company. In 2019 he obtained Polish citizenship, and in 2021 he returned to racing. Since May 31, 2023, he is eligible to represent Poland internationally.

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. At the 69th Janusz Kusociński Memorial, he set a Polish record in the 1-mile walk with a time of 5:35.49. In 2024 he won the title of Polish indoor champion at 5000 m, Polish vice-championship at 20 km and gold at 10,000 m. He also competed in the world team championships (29th place in team with Olga Chojecka) and the European 20 km championships (7th place).

Since 2023 he has represented the RKS Lodz club (coach: Andrzej Chylinski), and earlier KS Ultra Team Lódz.

Personal bests

 * 5000 m walk – 19:35,90 (2023-05-13, Warsaw)
 * 5000 m walk (indoors) – 19:37,59 (2024-02-11, Wrocław)
 * 10,000 m walk – 39:32,63 (2024-03-27, Warsaw)
 * 10 km walk – 39:46 (2023-09-16, Druskieniki)
 * 20 km walk – 1:20:06 (2024-05-18, A Coruña)
 * 35 km walk – 2:43:38 (2023-03-25, Dudince)
 * Mile walk – 5:35,49 (2023-0-04, Chorzów) – Polish national record