Filip Nowacki: Jersey swimmer wins 200m breaststroke gold at Commonwealth Games

Nowacki’s victories propel him to one in every of Jersey’s biggest ever sports activities stars.

The Commonwealth Games is the very best degree at which athletes from the island, with a inhabitants of about 100,000, can compete below their very own flag.

Previous to Colin and Cliff Mallett, Jersey had gained simply two medals in their very own proper.

In 1986, bantamweight boxer John Sillitoe gained bronze in Edinburgh, whereas Jersey’s first-ever medal was additionally within the ring when Albert Turmel gained welterweight bronze in Perth in 1962.

Islanders have gained medals for England – diver Dot Macready gained 10m gold in 1934, whereas extra just lately Serena Guthrie was a part of the England workforce that gained netball gold in 2018.

In 2006, Rebecca Herbert was a part of the England hockey workforce that gained bronze, whereas there have been two bronze medals in 2002 for islanders representing England – Elizabeth Cann in badminton and swimmer Simon Militis within the 200m backstroke.

But with Nowacki aged simply 18 and already a British senior and world junior champion few would guess in opposition to the swimmer occurring to turn out to be essentially the most adorned Commonwealth Games athlete in Jersey’s historical past.

He can be a part of the Team GB arrange with an intention firmly on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Jersey has not had an Olympic competitor since Militis went to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and all island eyes will likely be on their younger hero bringing them extra glory.