Latest news with #EuropeanJuniorChampionships
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Sport
- 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.'
ITV News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Jersey swimmer breaks British Junior Record previously held by Adam Peaty
A swimmer from Jersey has broken a British Junior Record held by Olympic gold medalist Adam Peaty, at the European Junior Championships in Slovakia. Filip Nowacki, 17, completed the Men's 100m Breaststroke in 59.59 seconds, beating Peaty's time of 59.92 seconds. Nowacki now stands as the third fastest 17 & Under 100m breaststroker in history. The teenager, who now trains at Millfield School, spent his age group days under the guidance of Nathan Jegou with the Jersey Tigers Swimming Club. He has also broken the European Junior Record in the 200m breaststroke, clocking a time of 2:09.11 minutes in the semi-final, breaking the record that had been set in the previous race by Turkey's Doruk Yogurtcuoglu, who swam 2:10:63. His time would have placed him in contention for a spot in the Olympic final in Paris 2024, demonstrating Nowacki is performing at an Olympic-calibre. Speaking after the event Nowacki said, "the team speaks for itself, I'm really happy with the outcome there and it's a really strong team so I'm really pleased". The rising star has secured four Gold medals at this years European Junior Championships: Gold in the Men's 200m Breaststroke (breaking the European Junior Record). Gold in the Men's 100m Breaststroke (breaking the British junior record). Gold in the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay (contributing to a new Championship and European junior record). Gold in the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay. The teenager won three medals at the British Senior Championships earlier this year.
Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Wexford swimmer Luca Power plays his part in Ireland's record-breaking performance
An exciting men's 4 x 200m freestyle relay, consisting of John Shortt, Denis O'Brien, Power, and Seán Donnellan, combined for a new Irish Junior record of 7:33.36. The quartet broke the 2018 record of 7:33.73 set at the European Junior Championships and held by Robbie Powell, Cadan McCarthy, Finn McGeever and Jack McMillan. Both McGeever and McMillan went on to represent Ireland at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games in that same event. Luca flew the Wexford flag proudly in Slovakia, with his first race taking place on Tuesday morning, when he touched in 1:54.12 in the 200m freestyle. National Centre Limerick's Denis O'Brien was the fastest of the Irish swimmers in a personal best of 1:51.80, while Power's time was better than the other competitor from Ireland, Dolphin's Tadgh O'Brien (1:57.45). Luca's last race was in the 400m freestyle heats on Sunday, when he clocked 4:09.43. 'That was tough, the first few races were tough, it's my first time racing outdoors and racing at an international level,' he said. 'The relay was great, I made personal best in my split yesterday, I was happy with that.' Meanwhile, excitement is building as the 2025 Irish Summer National Age Group Championships draw near. Set to take place from July 10–13 in Limerick, this prestigious event will bring together the best young swimmers from across the country to compete at the highest level. Among the talented athletes representing the New Ross club are four exceptional junior swimmers: Seán Moran, Emersyn Scully, Katie Ryan and Paula Gallardo. These young swimmers have demonstrated remarkable dedication, skill and determination in their journey to qualify, and now they're set to take on the national stage. Each of them has emerged as a rising star within the club, showing promise and consistency through a season of hard training and competition. They won't be the only names to watch, however. Other strong contenders from the club are hot on their heels, showing that the future is bright for our swim programme with a new generation of talent ready to make their mark. We wish Seán, Emersyn, Katie and Paula the very best of luck as they head to Limerick to represent the club. No matter the outcome, their hard work and achievements already speak volumes – and the experience will surely fuel even greater success ahead.
RTÉ News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ireland off the mark as John Shortt claims European junior bronze
Defending champion John Shortt secured bronze in the 200m backstroke final to claim Ireland's first medal at the 2025 European Junior Championships in Samorin, Slovakia. The Limerick teenager, competing in the middle lane, was involved in a thrilling race, going stroke for stroke throughout the four lengths of the pool with Zsombor Racz of Hungary and Italy's Daniele del Signore. Shortt, whose primary focus is the World Aquatics Championships later this month, led the race turning into the final length and into the last 50 metres, eventually touching the wall in 1:58.45 with Racz taking gold ahead of del Signore. It marks a third European junior medal for Shortt. "I won't lie, I'm disappointed," he said afterwards. "I wanted to win that, and I didn't, but that happens, it's very hard. The first 100m was good, I really smashed off the lane rope in the third 50, kind of lost my balance from there, this is sport, it's not a constant high." won her semi-final to advance to the 100m freestyle final as second fastest qualifier.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Nowacki breaks European junior breaststroke record
Jersey swimmer Filip Nowacki has broken the European junior record in the 200m 17-year-old - who won three medals at the British senior championships earlier this year - clocked a time of 2:09.11 in the semi-final of the European Junior Championships in who is part of the Team GB world-class swimming squad, broke the record that had been set in the previous race by Turkey's Doruk Yogurtcuoglu, who swam 2:10: will race in the final on Friday evening having already been in excellent form. Nowacki broke the British age group record in the 50m breaststroke twice as he went on to win silver in the final, and still has the 100m breaststroke to race as well.
