RTW Monson Swimmers Shine on the International Stage

RTW Monson Swimming Club enjoyed a highly successful week on the international circuit, with athletes representing both the Southeast Regional Team and Swim England at major European meets in Geneva and Luxembourg.

Club captain Maddie Hind, alongside team-mates Aran Bissett and Chengze Duan, travelled to Switzerland to compete at the 59th Geneva International Meet, which marked the start of the long-course season. The trio spent three days racing against top-class opposition from across Europe, gaining valuable experience on the international stage.

For 16-year-old Maddie and Chengze, 18, the meet was their first taste of international competition, while Aran, 17, brought experience from previous appearances in Rio and Luxembourg. That experience paid off, as he produced an outstanding performance, recording multiple lifetime best times, qualifying for two A Finals and securing a bronze medal in the 200m Individual Medley A Final.

Maddie also impressed, reaching her first international final by qualifying for the B Final of the 100m Butterfly - a significant achievement in an open-age finals programme. Chengze also enjoyed a series of strong swims, gaining confidence and exposure at a high-level meet, describing the opportunity as “incredible”.

Reflecting on the experience, Maddie said, “It was such a privilege to be selected for the Southeast Regional Team. Racing against swimmers from other countries and competing at such a high level was a fantastic opportunity.”

Aran added, “It was great to race swimmers from all over Europe, with the scenic backdrop of Geneva. Meeting world-class athletes, including short course 200m Breaststroke world record holder Casper Corbeau, was a cool experience.”

Meanwhile, further success followed in Luxembourg, where 16-year-olds, Imogen Myles and Amalie Smith, competed at the prestigious Euro Meet as part of the Swim England team, accompanied by RTW Monson head coach Karen Bradbury.

Amalie delivered a series of fantastic results for the team, winning gold in the 400m Individual Medley and silver in the Junior 200m Freestyle and 200m Breaststroke. She also placed seventh in the Open 100m Backstroke A Final and narrowly missed gold in the Open 200m IM Final, finishing second in a thrilling race decided by just 0.2 seconds.

Imogen also delivered an exceptional medal haul, claiming silver in the Junior 200m Breaststroke, bronze in the Open 200m Breaststroke, and 2nd in the 100m Open Breaststroke B Final winning silver overall in the Junior 100m Breaststroke.

With medals, finals appearances and invaluable international experience across two major meets, it was a memorable and highly encouraging start to the long-course season for RTW Monson Swimming Club.