Watch: Swimming National Championships close with four new national records

The Swimming National Championships, hosted by the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta at the Tal-Qroqq National Pool drew to a close on Sunday evening.

The championships which hosted a total of 72 events, welcomed nearly 260 athletes, swimming a combination of more than 1200 individual swims and representing eight local Clubs. 

During these championships, a total of four new national records and one Age Group B mark were established by Dylan Cachia, Thomas Wareing and Ella Fenech Attard.

On Sunday afternoon, Cachia, produced his second national record for these championships, when he established a new mark for the 1,500m freestyle event.

Cachia swam a time of 16:26.36, improving on the previous record by nearly five seconds on the previous record he had established in Gżira, in 2020.

Cachia had also established a new national best in the 200m backstroke, whilst Thomas Wareing set two records in the 100m backstroke within 24 hours of each other. 

Fenech Attard established a new Age Group B record in the 400m freestyle event.

A total of 647 personal best timings were recorded, which is more than 50% of the individual swims over the four-day championships.

National coach Delon Dannhauser remarked that he was satisfied with the outcome of the championships.

“It was encouraging to see swimmers and spectators enjoying competition after two years of not having our nationals at the right time of season,” he said.

“All over the world all sports have lost participants, swimming being no exception. In terms of performance, it definitely seems that swimming is back on track, with four national records and Age Group records,  as well as some really exciting relays between the clubs.

“Swimming seems to be growing in popularity and numbers again. I was extremely proud of everyone’s effort and preparation from the swimmers to the coaches and I am really excited for the next season.”

The National Swimming Championships Club Trophy which is presented to the club which has garnered the most points from all of the events throughout the Championships was presented to Sliema ASC at the end of the Championships.

“The National Championships have given a good indication of how preparations are progressing for athletes earmarked for the Games of the Small States of Europe in 2023 in Malta,” ASA president Joe Caruana Curran said.

“Athletes are being continuously assessed by national coach Delon Dannhauser and technical consultant Scott Volkers who has already been in Malta three times this year to coach the squad.”