Jersey is celebrating a historic achievement at the Commonwealth Games today, 25 July 2026, as 18-year-old swimmer Filip Nowacki secured a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke. This remarkable feat ends a 36-year drought for the Channel Island, marking its first podium finish at the Games since 1990. Nowacki, who is also the reigning world junior champion in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke, demonstrated exceptional skill and determination to claim second place.
The race saw Nowacki finish just 0.17 seconds behind Australia's Sam Williamson, with world record-holder Adam Ramsay-Peaty taking bronze 0.31 seconds after the young Jerseyman. Starting in fourth position at the 50m turn, Nowacki executed a powerful second half of the race, overtaking both Ramsay-Peaty and early leader Michael Houlie of South Africa. His performance was described as a "true privilege" by the swimmer himself, acknowledging the calibre of his competitors.
This silver medal makes Nowacki only the fifth individual to ever win a Commonwealth Games medal while representing Jersey. The last time the island saw success was in 1990 when Colin Mallett won gold in fullbore shooting and then bronze in the pairs event with his father, Cliff. Prior to that, bantamweight boxer John Sillitoe won bronze in Edinburgh in 1986, and Albert Turmel secured Jersey's inaugural medal, a welterweight bronze, in Perth in 1962.
Nowacki's journey at the Games is far from over, with further opportunities to add to his medal tally. He is scheduled to compete in the 50m breaststroke, which commences on Sunday, 27 July 2026, where he will once again face his mentor and world record-holder Ramsay-Peaty. His strongest chance for a gold medal appears to be in the 200m breaststroke, an event he is the reigning British champion in and the fastest qualifier for, with heats beginning on Tuesday, 29 July 2026.
The young swimmer expressed his satisfaction with the result, stating, "I'm really happy with that swim. It was just a touch outside my personal best, but it's a true privilege racing Adam, the Aussies and the very best in the world in a senior environment." His focus remains sharp for the upcoming events, as he looks to potentially surpass Colin Mallett's record and become Jersey's most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete.