World Series 2026: Records shattered as Italy lead medal table in Lignano Sabbiadoro

The Para Swimming World Series 2026 continued with four days of top-level international racing at the Bella Italia Village in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, from 12 to 15 March.

The competition marked the second stop of the nine-event 2026 season, bringing together leading Para swimmers from across the globe and producing standout performances, including two world records.

New marks set

Czech swimmer David Kratochvil (S11) delivered one of the most impressive campaigns of the meet, securing victories in the men’s 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley, while also adding additional podium finishes across four days.

Kratochvil’s standout moment came on the opening day of the competition in the men’s 100m freestyle, where he set a new world record in the S11 class. The Czech swimmer first broke the mark during the morning heats with a time of 55.67, before lowering it again in the final with 55.34 to secure the gold medal.

The double record performance immediately positioned him as one of the highlights of the Para Swimming World Series Lignano Sabbiadoro 2026.

Beyond the victories, Kratochvil also demonstrated remarkable consistency adding silver medals in the 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle, as well as bronze medals in the 100m butterfly and 400m freestyle, making him one of the most decorated athletes of the competition.

A second world record was also established during the event. Russian swimmer Konstantin Burmistrov set a new S12 global benchmark in the men’s 100m butterfly, touching the wall in 56.47 during the final.

Another world record was broken by 🇷🇺 Russia’s Konstantin Burmistrov (S12) in the men’s 100m butterfly.

🔗 Check the full results of Day 2️⃣: https://t.co/UzGMwKoXqP#ParaSwimming #WorldSeries2026 #LignanoSabbiadoro2026 pic.twitter.com/zJeYlE3rds

— Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) March 13, 2026

Italy’s domination

In the overall medal table, the host nation finished as the most successful country, securing seven gold medals across the four-day programme. Italian swimmers delivered strong performances across multiple classifications, with Monica Boggioni (S5/SB3) leading the charge by winning both the women’s 200m freestyle and 50m breaststroke.

Additional Italian gold medals came from Francesco Bocciardo (S5) in the 200m freestyle, Efrem Morelli (SB3) in the 50m breaststroke, Antonio Fantin (S6) in the 400m freestyle among the male athletes while Alessia Scortechini (S10) in the 50m freestyle, and Domiziana Mecenate (SM3) in the women’s 150m individual medley contributed in the female categories.

Turkiye finished as the second most successful nation at the Para Swimming World Series Lignano Sabbiadoro 2026, earning four gold medals.

Five-time world champion Defne Kurt (S10) captured two victories in the women’s 100m freestyle S10 and 100m butterfly, while Sevilay Ozturk (S5) also won two gold medals in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly events.

Ukraine and Brazil both concluded the competition with three gold medals each.

Ukraine’s victories included performances from Ihor Nimchenko (S10) in the men’s 50m freestyle, Andrii Trusov (S7) in the men’s 50m butterfly, and Veronika Korzhova (SM7) in the women’s 200m individual medley.

🇧🇷 Gabriel Araujo, 🇩🇰 Alexander Hillhouse & 🇨🇿 David Kratochvil grabbed their second gold medal at the Para Swimming World Series Lignano Sabbiadoro 2026 on Day 3️⃣.

🔗 Check out full results: https://t.co/UzGMwKoXqP#ParaSwimming #WorldSeries2026 pic.twitter.com/jY4Ur7bo7Z

— Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) March 14, 2026

Araujo leads Brazil medals

Brazil’s gold medals were led by Gabriel Araujo (S2/SM2), who won the men’s 50m backstroke and 150m medley, while Beatriz Flausino (SB14) secured victory in the women’s 100m breaststroke.

Elsewhere, Czechia and Denmark each secured two gold medals during the meet.

Alongside Kratochvil’s victories for Czechia, Denmark’s Alexander Hillhouse (S14) claimed gold in both the 100m butterfly and 100m backstroke, continuing his strong form on the international stage.

Gold medals were also earned by swimmers representing Switzerland, the Netherlands and Canada, demonstrating the global reach of the Para Swimming World Series.

Switzerland’s Nora Meister (S6) won the women’s 400m freestyle, while the Netherlands’ Rogier Dorsman (SB11) topped the podium in the men’s 100m breaststroke. Canada’s Katie Cosgriffe (S10) also secured gold in the women’s 100m backstroke.

Next stop

With racing concluded in Lignano Sabbiadoro, the Para Swimming World Series 2026 calendar continues to move quickly. The Italian meet represented the second competition of the nine-event international series, which provides key competitive opportunities for athletes throughout the season.

The next stop of the Para Swimming World Series 2026 is Barcelona, Spain, with swimmers set to return to the pool just days after the Italian event from 19 to 22 March.