European Championships 2022
It has been another busy period for past and present GSF athletes, as they begin to round up an exciting summer of sport!
48 Athletes headed to Germany for the European Championships Munich 2022, and another 19 have been in Italy competing at the European Aquatics Championships Roma 2022. Between them at both games, they have secured an incredible 27 medals.
The 2022 European Championships is the second edition of the European Championships, and was held from 11 to 21 August in Munich, Germany. The tournament began on 11 August, 3 days after the conclusion of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The 2022 European Aquatics Championships in Rome coincided with the 2022 European Championships, but does not officially form part of the games in Munich.
GSF athletes who went to Munich include Daryll Neita (Greenwich), Jessie Knight (Epsom & Ewell), Jahisha Thomas (Croydon), Jacob Paul (Croydon), Jona Efoloko (QEOP), Lewis Davey (Tower Hamlets), Afton Fitzhenry (Belfast), Harry Leask (South Oxfordshire) and Samuel Nunn (South Oxfordshire).
Success for GSF past and present athletes in Munich has resulted in a total of 13 medals, (6 Gold, 2 Silver and 5 Bronze). Daryll Neita (Greenwich) shone again on the individual stage, taking home the BRONZE medal for Team GB in the 100m race. Alumni Athletes also added to the medal count for Team GB on the track, with another BRONZE medal coming from Jerimiah Azu (Cardiff) in the men’s 100m race and a SILVER medal for Jake Heyward (Cardiff) in the men’s 1500m.
With Rowing taking part in the games in Munich, Samuel Nunn (South Oxfordshire) and his team added to the medal count. They secured the GOLD medal and became European Champions for Team GB in the men’s coxless four race. GSF alumni rowers had a very successful time in Munich, Heidi Long came away with two GOLD medals for Team GB in the coxless four and Women’s eight races. Emily Craig (South Oxfordshire) and her partner also secured a GOLD medal in the women’s lightweight double sculls race. In the men’s 8 race, alumni athletes Morgan Bolding and Thomas Digby pushed hard with their team and won the GOLD medal. Benjamin Pritchard (Greenwich) took home the BRONZE medal in the PR1 single sculls and Tom George secured the SILVER medal in the men’s coxless pair race.
Competing in Rome were Andrea Spendolini-Siriex (QEOP), Noah Williams (Hackney) Desharne Bent-Ashmeil (QEOP), Kyle Kothari (QEOP), Ben Cutmore (QEOP), Scarlett Mew-Jenson (QEOP), Brodie Williams (Bath & North East Somerset), Jonathan Adam (Bath & North East Somerset), Kieran Bird (Bath & North East Somerset) and Victoria Catterson (Belfast).
Success for GSF past and present athletes in Rome has resulted in a total of 14 medals, (6 Gold, 3 Silver and 5 Bronze). The competition began with our alumni swimmers, who were looking to continue their fine form from the Commonwealth Games. Tom Dean (South Bucks) secured a GOLD medal for the mixed 4 x 200m freestyle final and a BRONZE medal for the men’s mixed 4 x 100m freestyle final, before combining with Anna Hopkin and Team GB for a SILVER medal in the mixed 4 x 100m freestyle final. Anna also secured another GOLD and BRONZE medal for Team GB in the women’s 4 x 100m freestyle final and in the mixed 4 x 100m medley final. Luke Greenbank (Allerdale) also came away with a BRONZE medal for Team GB in the men’s 200m Backstroke final.
As the week went on, it was time for the Divers to make their mark at this competition. They started the games as they meant to go on, with GSF athletes Andrea Spendolini-Siriex (QEOP), Noah Williams (Hackney) and alumni Grace Reid (QEOP) securing the BRONZE medal in the mixed team event final. Grace Reid (QEOP) was then back on the podium for the mixed synchro 3m springboard event, alongside her partner they secured the SILVER medal for Team GB.
Andrea Spendolini-Siriex (QEOP) continued to impress and showcase her incredible form, securing the GOLD medal in the women’s platform final. Following a late injury withdrawal, Kyle Kothari (QEOP) was called into action and took the opportunity with both hands. Kyle and his partner dived magnificently, taking the GOLD medal in the mixed synchronised platform final. Kyle hadn’t finished there and as the competition continued, his next event was the men’s synchro platform final. Kyle and his partner Ben Cutmore (QEOP) added to the medal count for Team GB securing the GOLD medal.
Congratulations to all our supported athletes in what has been another memorable summer of sport.