Valuable lessons for Team Singapore from first-ever knockout sprints at World Aquatics Championships
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Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
‘Beautiful to see other men try this sport', say male artistic swimmers
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Britain's Ranjuo Tomblin initially faced sceptism from friends about his decision to go into artistic swimming, but says perceptions have changed since. SINGAPORE – When Ranjuo Tomblin first dipped his toes into artistic swimming in 2017, some of his friends questioned his choice of sport. Despite the scepticism, the Briton stayed the course. Over time, those friends came around and now support the 19-year-old's endeavours. At 15, Tomblin became the first artistic male swimmer to represent Britain internationally when he competed at the 2021 European Junior Championships. Since then, he has pushed the boundaries in a discipline traditionally viewed as a women's sport, achieving success at the European level and World Cup circuit. He said: 'It's not a well-known sport, it's not the usual football, rugby, which in Great Britain are quite common. 'At the beginning, my friends were a bit – I wouldn't say not accepting – but just a bit like 'that's a bit weird' and stuff like that. 'But as I've gone through the years, gotten those results, I feel like it's definitely more accepted by my friends.' Tomblin's journey is not an isolated one, but part of a larger transformation in artistic swimming as it gradually began embracing male participation. The pivotal moment came in 2015, when the World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, introduced mixed duets – the first time male athletes competed at the global level. Since then, the opportunities for men in the sport have grown, with the inclusion of solo events and male swimmers in team routines at the world championships. At the ongoing World Aquatics Championships (WCH) in Singapore, there are 22 male athletes competing across seven events, in contrast to the 2015 edition, which featured 10 male swimmers across two events. Much of this progress has been paved by trailblazers like American Bill May, who has become synonymous with male participation in artistic swimming. Today, a new generation is building on his legacy. Among them is Chile's Nicolas Campos, who is competing at the WCH Arena this week. The 17-year-old, who is the first male artistic swimmer to represent Chile at major international competitions, is encouraged to see interest in the sport growing among men. Nicolas, a medallist at the World Junior Artistic Swimming Championships, said: 'It's beautiful to see other men try this sport. I think it's very beautiful and people don't have the fear of being judged by other people.' Chile's Nicolas Campos is encouraged to see more men competing in artistic swimming. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO For Tomblin, the shift is evident at the grassroots level back home. He noted that there were about five mixed duets at the 2025 National Age Groups competition in England. In the past, he often competed alone. But Swedish swimmer David Martinez noted that although participation has increased and there are more opportunities, lingering perceptions that artistic swimming is meant only for women makes it challenging to attract more men. He said: 'I think a lot of people have assumptions... I do think you need to grow up, it's really not (the case). Dancing is for everyone, it's a form of art, it's a sport. Sport and art is for everyone and I feel like people are too close-minded.' While he feels there has been progress, Sweden's David Martinez also noted that assumptions that artistic swimming is only for women makes it challenging to get more men in the sport. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO One of the sport's brightest stars, Spain's Dennis Gonzalez, has had to navigate those challenges. After winning gold in the solo technical event at the 2024 European Championships, he found himself the target of hateful comments online. He told that his first instinct was to hide, but the world champion responded by posting a video condemning the hate. In that interview, Gonzalez, who has claimed a silver and bronze in Singapore, said: 'If I show weakness, how is a younger person supposed to face those comments? 'I want to show that no matter what, I'll keep doing what I love.' Spain's Dennis Gonzalez condemned hateful remarks he received online after winning the solo technical event at the 2024 European championships. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO While the roster of men's events at the world level has expanded, participation at the Olympics remains limited. Men were allowed to compete at the Olympics for the first time at the 2024 Paris Games, although none of the teams fielded men. The 2028 Los Angeles Games will not feature mixed duets. For many male athletes, their mission is not only personal success but creating a platform that encourages others to follow in their footsteps. Russia's Aleksandr Maltsev, a veteran in the sport with six world championships gold medals, feels the responsibility to keep going to inspire aspiring artistic swimmers. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Russia's Aleksandr Maltsev, winner of the men's solo free and technical in Singapore, said: 'It's very difficult to show every time very high technical and artistic impression. 'I work very hard every day to show my best in the competition and show young athletes an example because they are watching for me as a role model so I'm very pleased.'
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
New-look Australia swim team using World Aquatics C'ships in S'pore to build towards LA 2028
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Kaylee McKeown competing in the women's 100m backstroke final during the Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide on June 10. SYDNEY – Seasoned campaigners Kaylee McKeown and Kyle Chalmers spearhead a young Australia squad for the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) in Singapore as the swimming powerhouse undergoes a post-Olympics changing of the guard. Since Paris, where Australia won seven golds to the eight by the United States, several big names have either retired or are resting. Australia's most successful Olympian, Emma McKeon, has hung up her goggles as have other stalwarts including Mitch Larkin, Brianna Throssell and Jenna Strauch. Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus – who lost her 400m freestyle world record to Canadian Summer McIntosh in June – is on an extended break. That has opened the door for 10 debutants to make the Australia squad for the World Aquatics Championships, where the swimming events begin on July 27 at the newly built WCH Arena. Head coach Rohan Taylor characterised Singapore as the beginning of a new cycle building to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and a key learning experience for Australia's next potential superstars. 'I am excited by what this team can do over the next four years,' said Taylor. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport Asia Indonesia on high alert as dry weather fans forest, peatland fires in Sumatra Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Singapore Teen charged after allegedly selling vaporisers, advertising e-cigarettes on WhatsApp Singapore 2,500 turtles seized in India and sent back to S'pore, put down humanely after salmonella detected Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving 'This is the beginning of the third Olympic campaign I have been the head coach for, and this team has a strong nucleus in place. 'The end goal is LA, but to be great in LA this very young team, which boasts 10 rookies, is going to learn what is needed on the global stage in Singapore.' Eleven of the squad are aged 20 or under. At just 16, Sienna Toohey has Australian fans most excited after she came from nowhere to qualify for the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Australia also have high hopes for fellow newcomers such as Hannah Fredericks (200m backstroke) and Ben Goedemans (800m freestyle), while Ella Ramsay, 21, will contest four events. The experienced core of the squad is led by Paris Olympics 50m freestyle champion Cameron McEvoy, who will be at his seventh world championships. His close friend Chalmers – who has won medals in the 100m free at three consecutive Olympics including gold on debut in Rio 2016 – toyed with packing up swimming after Paris, but a new coach has rejuvenated him. He was in scintillating form at the trials, qualifying in speedy times for the 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 50m butterfly. 'I'm just trusting what I have been doing in training, listening to what my coaches are telling me, trusting that we've done the work,' said Chalmers, who has won 12 world championship medals, including five golds. The women are headlined by McKeown, who retained her 100m and 200m backstroke titles in Paris. The 24-year-old will also swim the 50m in Singapore – an event added to the Olympic programme in 2028 – looking to emulate the treble she won at the 2023 world championships. Like McKeown, Olympic 200m champion Mollie O'Callaghan has been open about her struggles mentally after the high of Paris, where she achieved her dreams with three golds, a silver and a bronze. She has refocused and is a gold-medal prospect in both the 100m and 200m freestyle. Fast-rising teenager Olivia Wunsch is Australia's other women's 100m freestyle entrant, also qualifying for the 50m free alongside Olympic silver medallist Meg Harris. Lani Pallister has taken giant strides since the Olympics and had a breakthrough trials. She became only the third woman to swim under 15min 40sec in the 1,500m freestyle behind American great Katie Ledecky and the retired Dane Lottie Friis. Pallister also shattered Titmus's 800m national record and went under four minutes for the first time in the 400m. 'I think I've shown what I can do and I'm excited to build on it – I don't think this is my limit,' she said. REUTERS
CNA
11 hours ago
- CNA
The female boxer gunning to take Singapore to No. 1 in the global ring
The female boxer gunning to take Singapore to No. 1 in the global ring CNA/Raj Nadarajan In 2016, Ms Efasha Kamarudin became the first international Singaporean woman to win an international boxing gold medal. She recently peaked at No.15 in the world for the super flyweight category. Ms Efasha had an affinity for sports at a young age. Her parents and four siblings loved to keep themselves active and their enthusiasm spread to her as well. Photo: Photo: Efasha Kamarudin Ms Efasha is also a mother to baby girl Zahra. Her goal is to become the "undisputed world champion" and retire by 40 to spend more time with her daughter. Next Story
