The 2026 European Junior Swimming Championships are underway in Munich, Germany, and the action is heating up. Day five of the competition saw some thrilling races and emerging stars. Here's a recap of the highlights:
Boys' 100m Freestyle Semi-Finals
The boys' 100m freestyle semi-finals were a fast-paced affair, with several swimmers dipping under the 49-second barrier. The top four performers, all under 49 seconds, will compete in the final tonight.
- Egor Proshin (Neutral Athlete) - 48.51 (new lifetime best)
- Luca Hoek (Spain) - 48.76
- Tajus Juska (Lithuania) - 48.81
- Matvei Miliaev (Neutral Athlete) - 48.95
Hoek, the Spanish national record holder, is a strong contender, having set a lifetime best of 47.72 at the Spanish Open Championships. Juska, the reigning World Junior Championships bronze medalist, is also in the mix, seeking revenge after being shut out of the 100m fly final last year.
Girls' 100m Freestyle Final
The women's 100m freestyle final was a tightly contested battle. Alessandra Mao of Italy, just 15 years old, stunned spectators with a massive lifetime best of 54.28, claiming the gold medal.
- Kira Manokhina (Neutral Athlete) - 54.37
- Emma Wood (Great Britain) - 54.61
Mao's performance places her as the 7th-fastest Italian woman in history and surpasses the Italian Age Record held by Federica Pellegrini. Manokhina, despite a slight dip from her PB, and Wood, who dropped significant time, showcased their talent.
Boys' 100m Backstroke Semi-Finals
Nathan Muratory, the 200m backstroke champion from France, entered the semi-finals as the top contender but finished with a time of 55.06, securing the #2 seed. Mikhail Shcherbakov (Neutral Athlete) claimed the top spot with a rapid 54.30.
Girls' 100m Breaststroke Semi-Finals
Ukraine's Iryna Miliutina and Yana Klikotska dominated the girls' 100m breaststroke semi-finals, producing the sole times under the 1:09 barrier. Miliutina secured the pole position with 1:08.81, while Klikotska touched the wall in 1:08.89.
More Action to Come
The competition continues with the finals and semi-finals in various events, including the boys' and girls' 800m freestyle, 100m back and breast, and the boys' 4x200m free relay. The action-packed schedule promises more thrilling moments and emerging stars in the world of junior swimming.
