Seventeen-year-old Giovanni Phillipson has made waves in the swimming world by setting a new Dutch Junior Record in the 100-meter backstroke at the 2025 Dutch Short Course Championships, held in The Hague from December 19 to 21. While the absence of prominent competitors like Marrit Steenbergen and Nyls Korstanje might have led some to underestimate the event, it was clear that the pool was still brimming with exceptional talent.
Phillipson’s remarkable performance culminated in a gold medal as he posted an impressive time of 52.72 seconds, which not only earned him first place but also represented a significant personal achievement — breaking his previous best of 53.46, which he set just two months earlier. This stunning improvement of over half a second highlights his rapid development as a swimmer and positions him as one to watch in future competitions. Close behind him were Raf Hendriks, who secured the silver medal with a time of 52.75 seconds, and Hendrik van der Leest, who finished third in 53.07 seconds.
In another standout race, Jason van den Berg dominated the men’s 50-meter breaststroke, finishing in a swift 26.52 seconds. His performance showcased a notable lead over the competition, with Bram Zwetsloot coming in second at 27.08 seconds and Luca Janssen rounding out the podium with a time of 27.26 seconds. Van den Berg's fastest recorded time remains the 26.12 seconds he achieved in Rotterdam earlier this October, indicating he remains in top form.
Tessa Giele, a talented 23-year-old swimmer, shone in the women’s 100-meter individual medley (IM). She clocked an impressive 59.18 seconds, making her the only competitor to break the one-minute barrier in this event. Mare Schallenberg followed closely for silver in 1:00.25, while Sterre Hendriks claimed bronze with a time of 1:01.24. Notably, Giele previously placed fifth at last year’s Short Course World Championships, where she recorded a personal best of 57.69 seconds. Additionally, she holds the national record for both the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly events in short course meters.
On day one of the championships, Giele also competed in the women’s 50-meter butterfly, where she secured bronze behind Kim Busch, who won with a time of 25.76 seconds, and Britta Koehorst, who finished second at 26.00 seconds. Giele completed the race in 26.10 seconds, adding to her medal tally.
The same trio of swimmers once again found themselves on the podium in the women’s 50-meter freestyle, but this time in a different order. Koehorst clinched gold with a personal best of 24.24 seconds, while Busch took silver at 24.45 seconds. Giele was right on their heels, finishing third with a time of 24.48 seconds, marking her third medal of the night.
Lastly, Thomas Jansen, aged 26, showcased his skills by winning the men’s 200-meter butterfly with a commendable time of 1:55.80, which beat his previous best of 1:55.86 that he set during the same championships last year. Tiago Fonseca finished just behind him at 1:56.02, earning silver, while Hendrik van der Leest took home the bronze in 1:58.54.
As the championships continue, the excitement is palpable, especially with young talents like Phillipson and seasoned competitors like Giele making headlines. Who do you think will emerge as the standout star by the end of the championships? Join the conversation below!
