Chalmers, Seto and Jacoby among top stars to compete in FINA World Swimming Championships

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

In another exciting development, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council has announced an array of top international swimmers confirmed to participate in the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), bringing world-class star power for spectators to enjoy in Abu Dhabi.

Taking place at Etihad Arena from December 16-21, organisers on Monday revealed some of the leading names from the world of swimming from North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, who are set to compete across a range of distances next month. 

In a star-studded field, Abu Dhabi will welcome several international superstars including 6-time Olympic medalist and World Champion Kyle Chalmers from Australia; 2-time Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Tom Dean from the UK; multiple World Champion Daiya Seto from Japan; South Africa’s Matthew Sates, recent overall winner of the Swimming World Cup 2021; and Olympic breakout star Lydia Jacoby from the US. 

In an impressive year so far, Chalmers set the world record in the Men’s 100m freestyle (short course) at the FINA Swimming World Cup in Russia in October and is aiming to break further records this December. 

Reigning Olympic Champion in the 200m Freestyle Dean and multiple World Junior record holder (200m free, 200m individual medley) Sates will be the men to beat for the medium distance freestyle events.

The latter will look to continue his record-breaking run in Abu Dhabi, following his stellar performances in the 2021 Junior World Cup, where he set world records in the 200m freestyle and individual medley. 

Returning to the UAE, following his appearance in the 2016 FINA World Cup, is Japan’s elite star, Seto. Specializing in butterfly, breaststroke, and freestyle events, Seto’s career highlights include gold medal triumphs in the 400m individual medley at the 2012, 2014 and 2016 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m). Aiming for another gold in this December’s championships, Seto was also the first Asian swimmer to become a world champion in an individual medley event.

A 17-year-old starlet, Lydia will be one of the top names from team US following her breakout performance in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where she stunned the world by winning gold in the 100m breaststroke event. Her swift rise through the elite swimming ranks started back at the USA Swimming Winter Nationals in 2018 when she qualified for the US Olympic Swimming Trials at the tender age of 14. 

Representing Canada is 21-year-old Margaret MacNeill, the current Olympic and world champion and Continental record holder in the women's 100m butterfly event.