The 2024 FISU World University Championships Finswimming was certainly one for the books — as no less than 12 records were rewritten at the event that took place last 26-27 April in Pereira, Colombia. 

The International University Sports Federation (FISU) first recognised the sport in 2017 and the competition was first organised in a FISU University World Cup format in 2022 in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy. 

In this edition, 113 athletes from 16 countries gathered at the Pereira Aquatic Sports Village to compete for 22 titles in three disciplines; Apnea, BiFin and Surface.

The student-athletes proudly show off their medals. FISU
The student-athletes proudly show off their medals. FISU

Italy dominated the podium with six golds, two silvers and five bronzes. The host nation, Colombia, came second, with five golds, one silver and two bronzes and finally Germany completed the top three with three gold medals. 



Among the new record holders is Italy’s Laura Franchini with a 03:57.02 time in women’s 400m BiFins. The men’s 400m BiFins also has a new record time of 03:36.06, set by Colombia’s Samuel Roa Cardenas. 

Men and women’s 50m Apnea records have also been reset, by Slovakia’s Jacub Kozmer with 00:14.69 and Ru-yi Lee from Taiwan at 00:17.00.

Gold medalists Oier Irisarri Rodriguez of Spain, Johanna Katharina Schikora of Germany, and Ahmed Radwan of Egypt also made their marks in the record books. 

While the competition was fierce the student-athetes were bathed in local culture and smiles and everyone will go home with warm memories of a great event.