Filip Nowacki won a silver medal in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 25, 2026. The 18-year-old finished in 59.34 seconds, securing Jersey’s first medal in 36 years and the island’s first silver at a senior Commonwealth Games.
Nowacki’s performance in Glasgow ended a drought that stretched back to 1990, when Colin Mallet won individual gold in the Full Bore Rifle event and a bronze with his father, Cliff, in Auckland. This result is not only a return to the podium for the island but the first medal Jersey has ever earned in swimming at the senior level.
Nowacki’s Narrow Margin and Olympic Competition
The race was decided by fractions of a second. Nowacki finished just 0.17 seconds behind the Australian champion, Sam Williamson. In a high-profile clash of talent, Nowacki beat three-time Olympic champion Adam Ramsay-Peaty by 0.31 seconds, with Ramsay-Peaty clocking in at 59.65.
Growing up on an island of roughly 100,000 people, he has transitioned from a local prospect to one of the world’s top breaststrokers. His trajectory has been supported by a move from Jersey to train at Millfield School, and he is slated to move to Loughborough following the Games.
A Year of Junior and Senior Dominance
- 2025 World Junior Championships: Won both the 100m and 200m breaststroke titles.
- European Junior Championships: Collected four gold medals.
- 2025 Island Games (Orkney): Won eight gold medals representing Jersey.
- British Senior Title: Claimed his first senior title in April by winning the 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:08.52.
Team GB Integration and Elite Coaching
He is set to join Team GB’s elite squad to begin preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Jegou emphasized the emotional weight of the achievement for the small community, noting that the silver medal means everything to him, means everything to us
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“I’m excited to see what he does and we’re proud that he’s one of us.”
Nathan Jegou, Jersey swimming team manager, via BBC Jersey
Upcoming Events in Glasgow
While the silver medal marks a historic milestone, Nowacki’s schedule in Glasgow is not yet complete. He is expected to return to the pool for the 50m breaststroke on Sunday, before contesting the 200m event on Tuesday.
Worth a look
