Polish Ksawery Masiuk on his way to Rome 2022

Poland's Ksawery Masiuk set the seventh world season best in the men's 50m backstroke and qualifies for the Rome European Championships. At the Polish Open, Poland's swimming championships that were held in Lodz from 30 April to 3 May, the 17-year-old swimmer set a new 50m backstroke national record (24.68) in the heats and won gold in 24.97 in the final. The previous record (24.71) belonged to Tomasz Polewka who broke it in 2017.

The time achieved in the morning heats was the one that allowed him to get the qualification for Rome 2022, with the swimming competition scheduled from 11 to 17 August. "For the third time in my career I went under 25 seconds," said Masiuk after the race, "We definitely hit the target. I bet there will be no time to rest now. We are still preparing for a surprise, but I don't want to reveal any more for now." On the last day of competition, the Polish swimmer also lowered his national record in the 100m backstroke (53.40).

Rome 2022 now awaits Masiuk, who will return to compete in the Foro Italico pool after taking part in the 2021 European Junior Championships. On that occasion he won the 100m and 200m backstroke in 51.91 and 1:58.41, respectively, also adding a silver medal in the 50m event.