Making a splash

Tottenham team triumph at swimming championships

By Eva Hanson

Haringey Aquatics swimmers brought home a record 29 medals from the Middlesex County Championships (10 gold, 12 silver, seven bronze, plus 43 other finalists) helping the club to celebrate its most successful year yet.

Leading the way was Max Green with five gold medals (50, 100, 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley and 50m breaststroke) and two silvers (100 and 200m breaststroke), competing in the 14 and under age category.

Shakil Giordani, in the 16 and under category, won a total of eight medals (gold in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly, silver in the 50, 100 and 200m freestyles, 100m backstroke, and bronze in the 100m butterfly and 1500m freestyle). He was awarded two trophies as fastest 50m backstroke swimmer, and fastest 50m butterfly swimmer, both 16 or under.

15-year-old Max Hanson won gold, silver and bronze in the three breaststroke distances, including a trophy as the fastest 100m breaststroke swimmer, 16 or under. Kelton Ryland became County Champion in 200m breaststroke, butterfly specialist Gareth Davies took silver in all three fly distances and 17-year-old Rose Pepperday took bronze in the 200m breaststroke and 800m freestyle.

Haringey’s younger swimmers also impressed, with gold for Travis Kupczyk Akomeah (12 and under category) in 50m freestyle; there were two silver medals and one bronze for 11-year-old Bianca Gomez Velasco (50 and 100m breaststroke; 200m breaststroke) and a bronze medal in 50m freestyle for Luca Riddard in the 11 and under category.

Head coach Paul Doyle and coach Nathan Joseph were full of praise for the 36 strong team of swimmers – a record number of qualifiers at the Counties for Haringey Aquatics, with lots finalists, new club records and personal bests.

Doyle commented: “With a busy gala schedule in the coming months, this was a very positive start to the season – I’m looking forward to the Regionals.”

Visit haringeyaquatics.org.uk