Do baar ke World Champion aur current World Record holder Jordan Crooks ne competitive swimming me wapas aane ka official announcement kar diya hai.
Cayman Islands Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture, and Heritage ki report ke mutabik, Crooks ek chhote break ke baad phir se professional swimming me return kar rahe hain. Unka bada target Los Angeles 2028 Olympics me compete karna hai.
Ab 24 saal ke ho chuke Crooks ne May 2025 me swimming se break lene ka decision liya tha. Halanki unhone kabhi bhi ise officially retirement nahi kaha tha.
Crooks ne kaha:
“Main thankful hoon ki pichhle kuch mahino me mujhe apni studies complete karne aur future plan karne ka mauka mila. Ab main professional level par swimming me wapas aane aur Cayman Islands ko represent karne ke liye bahut excited hoon.”
University of Tennessee ke former superstar Jordan Crooks ne apna aakhri competition 2025 Men’s NCAA Championships me khela tha. Wahan unhone 50m Freestyle ka National Title jeeta aur Tennessee Volunteers ko 200 Free Relay aur 400 Free Relay dono events me victory dilayi.
400 Free Relay me Tennessee ne 2:42.30 ka time laga kar naya NCAA aur U.S. Open Record banaya.
200 Free Relay me bhi Tennessee ne 1:12.84 ka time lekar title jeeta. Yeh unke ek mahine pehle SEC Championships me banaye gaye 1:12.80 NCAA aur U.S. Open Record se sirf 0.04 second peeche tha.
Isi NCAA Championships ke dauran Crooks ne 100 Freestyle me bhi naya NCAA aur U.S. Open Record banaya. Prelims me unhone 39.83 ka time swim kiya aur Caeleb Dressel ka 39.90 (2018) ka record tod diya.
Final me Crooks ne 40.06 ka time lagaya aur Florida ke Josh Liendo (39.99) ke baad silver medal jeeta.
International Career
Jordan Crooks ne pehli baar senior international level par 2019 World Championships me Cayman Islands ko represent kiya aur 2024 tak lagataar international competitions me desh ke liye compete kiya.
2022 Short Course World Championships
Melbourne me hue 2022 Short Course World Championships me Crooks ne Men’s 50 Freestyle ka World Title jeeta aur 100 Freestyle ke final me bhi jagah banayi.
Is jeet ke saath woh Cayman Islands ke history me kisi bhi sport ke pehle athlete bane jinhone World Championship Gold Medal jeeta.
2023 World Championships aur Paris Olympics
2023 Long Course World Championships me Crooks ne 50 Freestyle ke final me 6th aur 100 Freestyle ke final me 7th place hasil ki.
Iske baad unhone Paris 2024 Olympics me Cayman Islands ke liye Olympic debut kiya, jahan woh 50 Freestyle me 8th aur 100 Freestyle me 13th position par rahe.
Budapest 2024 Me Itihaas Rach Diya
December 2024 me Budapest me hue Short Course World Championships me Jordan Crooks ne kai historical records banaye.
Sabse pehle unhone 50 Freestyle ke prelims me 20.08 ka time swim karke Caeleb Dressel ka 20.16 ka World Record tod diya.
Iske baad semifinals me Crooks ne history create kar di. Unhone 19.90 ka unbelievable time lagaya aur Short Course 50 Freestyle me 20 second ke barrier ko todne wale duniya ke pehle swimmer ban gaye.
Final me unhone 20.19 ke time ke saath gold medal jeetkar apna World Title successfully defend bhi kiya.
100 Freestyle me bhi Crooks ne prelims me 44.95 ka time swim kiya aur World Record ke bahut kareeb pahunch gaye. Final me unhone 45.48 ke time ke saath bronze medal apne naam kiya.
Long Course Best Times
Long Course Swimming me Jordan Crooks ke personal best aur Cayman Islands National Records:
- 50 Freestyle – 21.51
- 100 Freestyle – 47.71
In timings ko dekhte hue experts ka maanna hai ki LA 2028 Olympics tak Crooks 50 Freestyle me medal contender aur 100 Freestyle me strong finalist ban sakte hain.
Sports Minister Ka Message
Cayman Islands ke Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage Isaac Rankine ne kaha:
“Pura Cayman Islands Jordan Crooks ko professional training me wapas dekhkar bahut proud feel kar raha hai. Hum sabne unki journey ko admiration ke saath follow kiya hai aur unke collegiate career ki achievements ko celebrate kiya hai. Unki dedication, perseverance aur excellence ke commitment ne hamare islands ke bahut se young athletes ko inspire kiya hai.”
Report me yeh clear nahi kiya gaya hai ki Crooks training ke liye dobara University of Tennessee lautenge, Cayman Islands me hi rahenge ya kisi naye professional training group ko join karenge.
Apne message ke end me Rankine ne kaha:
“Jaise hi aap full-time professional athlete ke roop me apni is nai journey ki shuruaat kar rahe hain, hum har kadam par aapke saath hain. Hum LA 2028 Olympics ke safar me Cayman Islands ko garv ke saath represent karte hue dekhne ka intezar kar rahe hain. Aapki success hard work, determination aur khud par bharose ka sabse bada example hai.”
