Giedrius Titenis
Giedrius Titenis is a Lithuanian breaststroke specialist and a multi-time Olympian. Born July 21, 1989 in Anykščiai, Lithuania, Titenis is only the second Lithuanian swimmer to reach an Olympic final when he qualified in the top eight in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2012 Olympics.
Early career
Titenis broke out to the international swimming scene in 2006 at the FINA Youth World Swimming Championships. Held in Rio de Janeiro, where he picked up his first international championship medal with a bronze in the 200-meter breast. A year later Titenis repeated his bronze medal swim at the 2007 European Junior Swimming Championships, but this time in the 100-meter breast.
2008 Beijing Olympics
After the 2007 European Junior Swimming Championships, Titenis put up an A standard time in the 100-meter breast, securing his spot on the 2008 Olympic Team. In the first heat of his meet in the 100 breast Titenis had a great swim, and finished 2nd, becoming the 6th fastest swimmer of the preliminaries, but failed to advance to the championship final finishing 12th in the semi’s.
2009 Summer Universiade
The summer after Beijing Titenis swam at the 2009 Summer Universiade, which was being held in Belgrade, Serbia. In the 100-meter breast Titenis set a new Lithuanian Record (59.94), but just missed the bronze. In the 200-meter breast he won his third bronze medal of his career.
2009 World Championships
Titenis showed his versatility for the first time at the 2009 World Championships in Rome. His first event was the 100-meter breast, which he lowered his Lithuanian Record in, finishing 6th. He also tested out the 50-meter breast, setting a best time and another Lithuanian Record, but didn’t make it to the semi-finals –Titenis took on the 200-meter breast later and won a bronze.
2011 World Championships
Two years after Rome, Titenis swam at the 2011 World Championships, this time in Shanghai competing in all three breaststroke events once again. Although Titenis advanced to the championship final of the 100 and finished 6th overall, he didn’t have a great swim in the 50-meter breast, and didn’t move on past preliminaries. In the preliminary heats of the 200-meter breast Titenis went a best time, but added just a bit in the final swim and finished 6th overall.
2012 London Olympics
Four years after Beijing Titenis qualified for his second Olympic Games at 23 years old. After securing his roster spot by going A standard times at the 2011 World Championships, Titenis’ first event of the meet was the 100. He advanced to the semi’s after a fantastic preliminary swim, and lowered his time in the semi’s to 59.66 — he couldn’t break the 1:00 barrier finishing 8th.
Next event was the 200-meter breast — Titenis finished 3rd in his heat, and finished 8th, which was enough to advance him to the semi-finals. Going a best time, Titenis went a sub-2:10 race, but he finished 11th in the semi-finals.
2014 European Short Course Championships
Titenis once again went 3-for-3, swimming the 50, 100 and 200-meter breaststroke races. He won two bronze medals both in the 100 and 200 prior to swimming the 50-meter breast, which he also swam in its championship final.
2015 World Championships
At the 2015 World Championships Titenis was expected to be a contender for a medal in the 100-meter breast considering his performances on the international level. Titenis had a fantastic performance in the semi-final of the 100-meter breast, dropping below 59 seconds for a 3rd place finish. He advanced to the championship final in great position, but added nearly a half-second to finish 6th in the final. In the 50-mete breast Titenis tied for 5th, nearly breaking the 27-second barrier. He just making the championship final in all three breaststroke events, as he went 2:10.45 in the semi-finals of the 200-meter breast, finishing 11th.
2015 European Short Course Championships
After the World Championships Titenis competed in the European SC Championships held in Israel. He broke the Lithuanian Record in the 100-meter breast twice, crushing his previous record by a second dropping from 58.03 to 57.02. Titenis’ performance also earned him the bronze medal.
