‘Youngest athlete’ Denys takes gold at Luxembourg Euro Meet 2024

Tonbridge student Denys Mialkovskyi has won a gold medal at the prestigious Luxembourg Euro Meet swimming tournament.

Denys (OH3) earned the right to represent the south-east region at the annual event following his impressive performance at the regional winter championships.

The Luxembourg Euro Meet took place between 26 and 28 January, with Denys, a Third Year pupil, being the youngest athlete to grace the finals.

This year’s Euro Meet boasted the participation of renowned swimmers such as Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden, David Popovici of Romania, Diogo Ribeiro of Portugal, Velimir Stjepanovik of Serbia, Yohann Ndoye-Brouard of France and a number of others also of Olympic standard.

As well as clinching the gold medal in the 200m backstroke, Denys secured a highly commendable fifth place in the 100m backstroke and a sixth place in the 200m freestyle (all in the junior category).

He also qualified for the open final in the fiercely competitive 200m backstroke, sharing the pool with French Olympian Yohann Ndoye-Brouard. In a remarkable feat, Denys claimed fifth position, having competed among top swimmers in the open category.

Josie McNeil, Master in Charge of Swimming, said: “Congratulations to Denys for his outstanding performances. The gold is notable, of course, but to achieve his other results against professional adult swimmers is just as impressive.”

Denys, a member of Tonbridge’s Swimming Club, is pictured, with his gold medal, at the Tonbridge School Centre.