2025 EUROPEAN YOUTH OLYMPIC FESTIVAL
- Monday, July 21st – Friday, July 25th
- Skopje, Macedonia
- LCM (50m)
- Meet Central
- SwimSwam Preview
- Day 1 Recap
- Results
Day two of the 2025 European Youth Olympic Festival unfolded tonight with the nation of Italy coming away with multiple pieces of hardware.
Alessandra Mao, just 14 years of age as of March, hit a head-turning result of 54.98 to take the girls’ 100m freestyle.
Splits are not available at this time; however, the outing represents a big-time personal best for the rising youngster, easily erasing the 56.21 established at April’s Italian Championships.
For perspective, Mao’s time would render her the 2nd-fastest American 13-14-year-old girl in history. Only Olympic champion Missy Franklin has been quicker, owning the U.S. National Age Group Record at 54.03 from 2009.
Mao is no stranger to an international podium, having recently competed at the European Junior Championships. There in Slovakia, the Italian earned a trio of relay medals as a member of her nation’s 4x100m free relay (silver), 4x200m free relay (gold) and mixed medley relay (silver).
Splits for Mao on those relays included 55.15 as 2nd leg in the 4x100m free relay, 1:57.53 as anchor on the 4x200m free relay and 55.46 as anchor on the mixed medley.
Behind Mao this evening was Poland’s 15-year-old Barbara Lesniewska who touched in 55.06 while Spanish swimmer Irene Ciercoles Galve rounded out the podium in 55.97.
Ukraine got on the board, courtesy of Makar Yakhno in the boys’ 1500m freestyle final.
Yakhno turned in a time of 15:45.60 to get to the wall just under 5 seconds ahead of the pack.
Runner-up status went to Shon Osher Fomber Kozka in 15:50.05 as Hungary’s Zeteny Janos Sarkany bagged the bronze in 15:59.71. Sarkany won the 400m free during day one’s session.
Italy was back to topping the podium in the boys’ 100m back race, as Francesco Cecconi got the job done in a mark of 56.89.
That’s a lifetime best for the 15-year-old tearing up his previous PB of 58.04 from just earlier this month.
Patryk Przyczyna of Great Britain registered 57.62 as the silver medalist and Isak Dokic of Croatia touched in 57.73 for bronze.
Additional Winners
- Sofia Biagi put up a time of 4:16.28 to take the girls’ 400m free gold. Her best remains at the 4:13.21 put on the books just last month.
- Hungary’s Boroka Zsofia Kertesz was too quick to catch in the girls’ 200m fly, posting 2:12.05 to clear the field by over 2 seconds.
- Representing the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, Maksim Malyshka logged an effort of 2:16.88 as the boys’ 200m breaststroke gold medalist.
- Italy capped the night off in style by winning the mixed 4x100m free relay. Splits and relay members are not available at this time; however, the squad clocked a time of 3:37.31 while Poland was next in 3:38.37 followed by Great Britain who collectively posted 3:39.53 this evening.
14 years old and already swimming 54.98? Alessandra Mao is the real deal—just behind Missy Franklin’s legendary age group record. Italy’s youth squad is on fire this week!
Fun fact: Janos Sarkany of Hungary is the little brother to zarlan Sarkany who swims for Indiana University and the Hungarian National senior Team.
Very encouraging.
I can’t conclusively determine fastest 14 yo, that’s probably Franklin’s 54.03
15 yo record is Cate Campbell with 53.30
Actually it’s Yolane Kukla’s 54.02, I suppose Franklin must be number 2
http://age-records.125mb.com/swim.htm
Oh you’re right. I forgot about Kukla.
I think she also holds the fastest 100 fly for 13yo and 14 yo
She was insanely good as a 13 yo. So strong.
Next year the 13yr old will change as Zidi is already 54 high with 12 yeaes
Isn’t she 2012 born, hence 13 already?
She will turn 13 on oct 6th
Campbell 0.01 faster than Oleksiak at 15 (2016 Trials)
I can’t wait for the future Mao vs. China battles