Year in review: Manchester 2023 top moments

As the year draws to a close, it is time to look back at the highlight of the 2023 World Para Swimming season with the top moments of the Manchester 2023 Allianz Para Swimming World Championships.

(Always) Impressive Italy

If there was any doubt that Italy could top the medals table for a third consecutive edition of the Worlds then what about six victories right on day one?

And what about five gold medals on the final night at the Manchester Aquatics Centre? 

Simone Barlaam had a fantastic week in Great Britain taking six gold medals in six events, while Stefano Raimondi took seven medals with five gold. 

In women’s events, no other Italian swimmer had more podium finishes than Carlotta Gilli and her four gold and two silver medals. 
Just watch out for more in 2024 at the Paralympic Games in Paris.

Trusov leads Ukraine

Ukrainian swimmers put on impressive performances in Manchester, highlighted by Andrii Trusov’s five gold and one silver medals in S7 races. 

Day four was an evening to be remembered as Ukrainian athletes set three world records with Danylo Chufarov in the men’s 200m individual medley SM11, Anton Kol breaking a 11-year-old record in the men’s 200m freestyle S1, and the mixed 4x100m medley relay 49pts.

Kateryna Tkachuk, Oleksii Fedyna, Oleksii Virchenko and Anna Stetsenko stormed to victory improving in more than seven seconds the previous mark.

Long, the legend

The definition of a legendary performance had to be rewritten at Manchester 2023. USA’s Jessica Long claimed two gold medals taking her total to 37 world titles – and 54 World Championships medals – across almost two decades competing in major Para swimming events. 

First, Long won the women’s 100m butterfly S8 on day three. She returned to the pool three days later for a new victory in the 200m individual medley SM8.

And just remember she is still a 31-year-old. There is still more to come. Paris next?

Super Santiago

Maria Carolina Santiago had extra luggage to pack when she return to Brazil from the World Championships in Manchester. 
The S12 swimmer visited the podium eight times following five victories, one second place and two third places. 

Day three was even more special as Santiago took a gold medal with a new world record in women’s 50m freestyle S12 on her birthday. 

Brazil finished fourth in the medals table with 16 gold medals, behind China (18 golds).

Powerful Challis

Ellie Challis was just 15 when she made her first World Championships appearance on home waters in London. Four years later, that one bronze medal turned into six podiums at Manchester 2023. No other British swimmer was more successful than her. 

Challis won gold in the women’s 200m freestyle S3, 50m backstroke S3 and 50m breaststroke SB2. She also claimed two silver and a bronze in front the home crowd.

Team GB finished in fifth place with a total of 38 medals (14 golds). Complete results and all medallist from the Manchester 2023 Allianz Para Swimming World Championships can be found here.