2017 Swammy Awards: Canadian Male Swimmer of the Year Yuri Kisil

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2017 Canadian Male Swimmer of the Year: Yuri Kisil

While the Canadian women are booming, the Canadian men are still finding their footing and looking to capture the next generation of talent. Canada had only one male finalist at the 2017 World Championships – their 400 free relay, which finished 6th (out of 6 teams that weren’t DQ’ed).

Yuri Kisil swam in the final heat of both the mixed 400 medley and 400 free relays that won bronze medals and set Canadian National Records. Kisil also had the country’s highest individual male finish at the meet – he placed 10th in the 100 free semi-finals with a 48.50.

The Calgary native who swims at the University of British Columbia also won 6 events at the Canadian collegiate U Sports championships in March. While that meet isn’t as competitive as the NCAA Championship, it has been in an upswing, and 6 gold medals is still a tall task.

Last year’s Canadian Male Swimmer of the Year, Santo Condorelli, didn’t swim at Worlds this year.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

In no particular order

  • Mack Darragh – This was a tough one. Darragh was the only Canadian to break a men’s National Record outright in 2017, but he wasn’t selected for the World Championship team. He swam a 1:56.87 in the 200 fly at the Canadian Championships in August, which came on similar timing as Worlds. His record-setting time would’ve placed him 19th at Worlds.
  • Among the 8 men who swam individual events at Worlds, only one finished in the top 16 of multiple individual events: Javier Acevedo, who was 16th in the 50 backstroke (25.13) and 14th in the 100 backstroke (54.43). That 50 back semi-final swim tied the Canadian Record in the event, which was previously set by Russell Wood in 2015. Acevedo was also the fastest prelims leg on the 400 free relay that advanced to the final at 48.43, and swam on both bronze-medal winning mixed relays (the 400 free in finals, the 400 medley in prelims only). Acevedo represents the Ajax Aquatic Club domestically, but is currently training in the United States at the University of Georgia.

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Ervin
6 years ago

Does everyone remember in 2015 when American sprinting was in the “dumps” and everyone was saying how great it would be to have Santo Condorelli? Didn’t even get an honorable mention

JMM
Reply to  Ervin
6 years ago

Because he isn’t swimming in, or for, Canada this year and he didn’t make either of the World Championship teams.

Ervin
Reply to  JMM
6 years ago

so? point proven, hes fallen off

Dudeman
Reply to  Ervin
6 years ago

He actually took time off of swimming in 2017 and wasn’t even at Canadian trials to quality for the team, maybe look into things before you make accusations

JMM
Reply to  Dudeman
6 years ago

Condorelli is swimming NCAA at USC.

Ervin
Reply to  Dudeman
6 years ago

I’m well aware he wasnt at trials and that hes swimming NCAA but hes fallen off…ppl were heralding him as the next great sprint star and he hasnt lived up. Sorry

Dudeman
Reply to  Ervin
6 years ago

Canadians were seeing him as that, he was never the great star for the US but for Canada another medalist would have been unbelievable considering before Brent Hayden it had been over 20 years since Canada had even gotten close to a medal

ellie
Reply to  Ervin
6 years ago

Still think it’s great for the US team to have Santo, though not as great as people were saying. The Brazilian team was very strong this year, and Spajari is now coming up with a 48.2 in-season 100 free. Better watch out at Pan Pacs next year. a guy who can drop a 47 split, such as Santo, will be helpful for the US team.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  ellie
6 years ago

Usa has so many other Seriously good sprinters waiting to burst or already showing serious promises : Pieroni , Chadwick , Apple , Haas …….

ellie
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
6 years ago

None of them has broken 48 yet. Maybe some will in the future, but by now Santo is still ahead in terms of PB.

JMM
6 years ago

“KISIL THE MISSILE” well deserved!

KID
6 years ago

Is Richard Funk retired?

PACFAN
Reply to  KID
6 years ago

Could Richard Funk?

Damn Autocorrect
6 years ago

So is it Yuri or Javier?

Layne Four
Reply to  Damn Autocorrect
6 years ago

Huh. This is a crazy question, read the article it doesn’t talk about Javier it says Yuri Kisil is the Canadian Swimmer of the Year. I don’t get it DAMN AUTOCORRECT?

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Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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