Filip Nowacki has secured his place among Jersey’s greatest sporting talents after claiming gold in the 200m breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games. The 18-year-old swimmer finished the race in a time of 2:07.87, leading from start to finish and opening up a 0.72 second advantage at the 150m mark. Canada’s Oliver Dawson took silver while Australia’s Zac Stubblety-Cook earned bronze.
Nowacki’s achievement comes just days after he won silver in the 100m breaststroke earlier in the week. This dual medal haul marks a historic moment for Jersey’s Commonwealth Games participation, as Nowacki becomes only the second person from the island to claim gold and the first-ever swimmer to win a medal at the Games. His success surpasses the previous benchmark set by Colin Mallett, who won fullbore shooting gold in 1990 and had previously held the record for most decorated Jersey athlete at the Commonwealth Games.
The swimmer also competed in the 50m final, finishing fifth behind Englishman Adam Ramsay-Peaty, who won bronze in that event. Nowacki has previously beaten several of Ramsay-Peaty’s British junior records and holds world junior and British senior titles. His performances have significantly boosted Jersey’s overall medal count at the Games, increasing the island’s total haul by 50 percent from prior competitions.
Nowacki recently completed his studies at Millfield School and will relocate to Loughborough to continue his training as he prepares for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He won two world junior titles last year and has expressed satisfaction with his transition into the senior competitive environment. Jersey’s chef de mission noted the significance of Nowacki’s achievements for the island’s sporting community and broader visibility on the international stage.
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