European Aquatics Athlete of the Year Awards 2025: men’s open water swimming nominees

European Aquatics has announced the nominees for men’s open water swimming athlete of the year, recognising a group of athletes who delivered outstanding performances across the sport’s biggest international stages during one of the busiest years on record.

The shortlist reflects success at both the World Aquatics Championships and European Aquatics Open Water Swimming Championships, as well as numerous cups and tours throughout 2025.

Germany’s Florian Wellbrock is one of the most notable names on the list, as he enjoyed a flawless World Aquatics Open Water Championships in Singapore, taking the plaudits as one of the most successful athletes across all disciplines.

The Tokyo 2020 champion claimed gold in all three men’s individual events and added another title as part of the victorious German relay team, underlining his status as one of the most complete open water swimmers of his generation.

Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri once again demonstrated his consistency and class on the global stage, during a career which as spanned well over a decade. The multiple Olympic and world medallist collected silver medals in the 5km, 10km and team event at the World Aquatics Championships, before adding European Aquatics gold in the 5km.

He has been a fixture at these awards for a number of years, and his appearance in the future is not one to be discounted.

Hungary features prominently among the nominees, with David Betlehem one of those athletes in with a shout. The Hungarian swimmer claimed silver in the 3km knockout sprint and bronze in the team event at the World Aquatics Championships.

Earlier in the season, he secured European silver in the 5km and bronze in the 3km knockout sprint, before playing a key role in Hungary’s mixed team gold. He also finished on various podiums in both the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming Cup and European Aquatics Open Water Swimming Cup throughout the year.

Compatriot Kristof Rasovszky. the Paris 2024 champion, is also nominated after another medal-laden campaign. At the World Aquatics Championships he earned bronze in the mixed team event, while his European Aquatics Championships performances included titles in the 3km knockout sprint and 10km, alongside bronze in the 5km and gold in the mixed team event.

This made him far and away the most successful athlete at that competition in Stari Grad, and gives him a very good claim at the award.

France’s Marc-Antoine Olivier completes the shortlist following a strong showing at both major championships. A brace of bronze medals at the World Championships, coupled with success at both the cups and the European Championships also sees him deserve his spot amongst the nominees.

Click here to see the nominees for all categories and to vote for your winner.

Stephen Stanley for European Aquatics

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