Finswimming is one of the most exciting water sport ever. Finswimming is a sport belonging to the aquatic specialties which, using specific equipment (monofin, fins, snorkel or cylinders) allows the athlete to reach much higher speeds than swimming. There are indoor (swimming pools) and open water (sea, lake, rivers) championships.

To which federation belongs Finswimming?

The international federation to which fin swimming belongs is CMAS, the Confédération Mondial des Activités Subaquatiques, which is part of the ARISF, and is a discipline recognized by the IOC.

Is there an age limit to join Finswimming?

Finswimming is suitable for any age . In fact, there are competitions for very young people, for children and adults and for veterans, over 25 years old.

How can I find a Finswimming club?

You can find Finswimming clubs easily, just looking on the internet.

How can i stay updated with Finswimming News?

Finswimmer Magazine is the most comprehensive web site about Finswimming in which you can find events, updates and everything about Finswimming.

2025 CMAS European Championship Finswimming Indoor: A Showcase of Elite Performance and Record-Breaking Achievements

Executive Summary

The 2025 CMAS European Championship Finswimming Indoor proved to be a landmark event, characterized by an exceptionally high level of competition and numerous record-breaking performances. Athletes pushed the boundaries of the sport, culminating in new World, European, and World Junior-European Junior records. Nations like Ukraine and Germany showcased remarkable depth and strategic prowess, while individual stars etched their names into finswimming history with their dominant displays. This championship not only celebrated current athletic excellence but also set a new benchmark for the sport’s future trajectory.

The Competitive Landscape: An Overview of the Championship’s Level

The 2025 CMAS European Championship demonstrated a significantly elevated competitive standard across all disciplines, including Surface (SF), Bi-fins (BF), Apnea (AP), and Individual Medley (IM). The narrow margins in many finals underscored the intense rivalry and the impressive depth of talent present among European nations.

Overall National Dominance

Ukraine emerged as the overall medal leader, securing an impressive 21 medals, comprising 6 Gold, 6 Silver, and 9 Bronze. This remarkable performance was largely propelled by the strength of its women’s team, which contributed 15 medals (6 gold, 4 silver, 5 bronze) to the national tally. Germany closely followed, demonstrating significant competitive power with 19 medals (9 Gold, 6 Silver, 4 Bronze), dominating the men’s events. The German men’s team alone secured 19 medals (8 gold, 8 silver, 3 bronze), highlighting their formidable presence. Hungary secured a strong third place with 18 medals (5 Gold, 5 Silver, 8 Bronze), showcasing a balanced and consistent performance across various categories. France (13 medals) and Poland (12 medals) also demonstrated a substantial competitive presence, contributing significantly to the championship’s high standard.

National Specialization in Performance

A closer examination of the medal distribution reveals distinct national specializations. Ukraine’s strength was clearly concentrated in women’s events, where their dominant female athletes secured the majority of the nation’s gold medals and overall medal count. This suggests that the Ukrainian national federation may be implementing specialized training programs or that their talent development pipeline is particularly strong in female finswimming. Conversely, Germany’s commanding lead in the men’s medal standings, securing the highest number of gold medals in that category, points to a similar strategic focus or a strong pool of male talent within their system. This observed pattern of national teams excelling in specific gender categories could influence how other nations approach their athlete development and resource allocation in future international competitions, potentially leading to more targeted training and recruitment efforts.

Depth of European Talent

The fact that five distinct nations—Ukraine, Germany, Hungary, France, and Poland—each secured double-digit medal counts underscores the widespread distribution of elite finswimming talent across the continent. This broad competitive excellence indicates that no single country holds a monopoly on top-tier athletes. Such a vibrant and highly competitive European finswimming circuit compels athletes to continuously push their limits, fostering intense rivalries and ensuring exciting contests. This widespread talent base is a positive indicator for the sport’s continued growth and competitive integrity within Europe.

Record Books Rewritten: World and European Milestones

The 2025 Championship was a truly historic event for record-breaking, with a total of six new benchmarks established, signaling a new era of performance in finswimming.

World Records (WR) and European Records (ER)

Max Poschart of Germany delivered an electrifying performance in the Men’s 50m SF event. He first broke the European Record in Heat 2 of 3 with a time of 15.03 seconds. Then, in the final, he shattered both the World and European Records with an astonishing 14.83 seconds, a testament to his explosive speed and ability to perform under pressure. In the Men’s 100m BF, Szymon Kropidlowski of Poland set a new World and European Record in the final with a time of 40.60 seconds, showcasing exceptional bi-fin technique and power. The German team demonstrated remarkable synergy and speed in the Men’s 4x50m SF Relay, breaking the World and European Record in the final with a collective time of 1:00.47.

European Records (ER)

Justus Morstedt of Germany established a new European Record in the Men’s 200m SF final with a time of 1:18.94, highlighting his dominance in this mid-distance surface event.

World Junior-European Junior (WJ-EJ) Records

The young Italian talent, Anna Leonardi, born January 13, 2008, set a new World Junior-European Junior Record in the Women’s 1500m SF Fast Heat with a time of 13:23.86, indicating a promising future for long-distance finswimming.

Impact of Poschart’s Performance

Max Poschart’s unique achievement of breaking an European Record in the heats and subsequently a World and European Record in the final of the same event (Men’s 50m SF) is particularly noteworthy. This progressive improvement suggests a highly strategic approach to his racing, possibly involving energy conservation in earlier rounds to unleash full power when it mattered most. It underscores his exceptional competitive intelligence and ability to peak at the optimal moment, demonstrating that raw speed combined with intelligent race management is a recipe for historic success.

Overall Performance Benchmark

The sheer volume and caliber of records broken—three World and European Records, two European Records, and one World Junior-European Junior Record—collectively signify that the 2025 CMAS European Championship was not merely a competitive event, but a new benchmark for finswimming performance globally. This implies that athletes are collectively pushing the boundaries of human capability in the sport, potentially driven by advancements in training methodologies, sports science, or even equipment, thereby setting a higher standard for all future competitions.

Key Table: Key Records Broken at the 2025 CMAS European Championship Finswimming Indoor

Date	Event	Athlete(s)	Nationality	Time	Type
17 JUL	Men’s 200 m SF Final	MORSTEDT Justus	GER	1:18.94	ER
17 JUL	Women’s 1500 m SF Fast Heat	LEONARDI Anna	ITA	13:23.86	WJ-EJ
19 JUL	Men’s 50 m SF Heat 2 of 3	POSCHART Max	GER	15.03	ER
19 JUL	Men’s 50 m SF Final	POSCHART Max	GER	14.83	WR-ER
19 JUL	Men’s 100 m BF Final	KROPIDLOWSKI Szymon	POL	40.60	WR-ER
19 JUL	Men’s 4×50 m SF Final	GERMANY (Team)	GER	1:00.47	WR-ER

Stars of the Pool: Celebrating the Best Finswimmers

Beyond the record-breaking feats, several athletes delivered consistently outstanding performances, securing multiple medals and demonstrating exceptional prowess across various disciplines.

Multi-Gold Medalists

Hrechko Sofiia of Ukraine was a dominant force in women’s SF events, securing gold in the 200m SF (1:29.82), 400m SF (3:16.40), and 800m SF (6:56.45). Her consistent top-tier performance across varied distances highlights her remarkable versatility and endurance. Kovacs Megyer of Hungary emerged as a powerhouse in men’s SF long-distance, clinching gold in the 1500m SF (12:32.47), 400m SF (3:00.29), and 800m SF (6:23.34). His ability to maintain exceptional speed over grueling longer distances is truly remarkable. Justus Morstedt of Germany, beyond his European Record in the 200m SF (1:18.94), also secured gold in the Men’s 100m IM (31.91) and was a crucial part of the gold-winning German Men’s 4x100m SF relay team. His versatility across different finswimming disciplines (surface and individual medley) is noteworthy. Max Poschart of Germany’s stunning record-breaking performance in the Men’s 50m SF (14.83 WR-ER) was complemented by a silver medal in the Men’s 100m IM (32.12) and a gold as part of the dominant German Men’s 4x100m SF relay team. His explosive speed and versatility make him a formidable competitor. Varnyu Anna Jadviga of Hungary demonstrated clear dominance in women’s Bi-fin (BF) events, winning gold in both the 400m BF (3:47.77) and 200m BF (1:44.50).

Other Notable Individual Medalists

Anna Leonardi of Italy, beyond her World Junior-European Junior record in the 1500m SF (13:23.86), also earned a bronze medal in the 400m SF (3:21.46) and a silver medal in the 800m SF (7:01.78). Her consistent podium finishes across long distances highlight her rapid emergence as a top talent. Szymon Kropidlowski of Poland’s World and European Record in the Men’s 100m BF (40.60) solidified his status as a premier bi-fin swimmer. He also played a key role in Poland’s gold medal victory in the Mixed 4x100m SB relay. Julia Malachowska of Poland, a strong performer in sprint events, secured a gold medal in the Women’s 50m AP (16.43) and a silver medal in the Women’s 50m SF (17.95). Pernyesz Dorottya of Hungary achieved gold in the Women’s 50m BF (21.65) and a silver medal in the Women’s 100m BF (47.92), showcasing her speed in bi-fin events.

Rise of Young Talent

The significant presence of younger athletes born in the mid-2000s among the gold medalists and record breakers, such as Anna Leonardi (born 2008), Kovacs Megyer (born 2007), and Kaan Efe Kaya (born 2006), indicates a successful and robust pipeline of new talent entering the elite ranks of European finswimming. This influx of young, high-performing athletes bodes exceptionally well for the sport’s future competitiveness and growth, suggesting that national development programs are effectively nurturing the next generation of champions.

Versatility vs. Specialization

The championship highlighted both the value of versatility and extreme specialization within the sport. Athletes like Hrechko Sofiia and Kovacs Megyer demonstrated dominance across multiple Surface distances (200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m), emphasizing the importance of endurance and sustained speed. Their ability to perform at an elite level across a range of distances showcases a comprehensive athletic profile. Conversely, Max Poschart’s unparalleled speed in short sprints (50m SF) and IM, along with Szymon Kropidlowski’s mastery in Bi-fin events, showcased the critical role of highly specialized training. This dual success underscores the diverse athletic demands and strategic approaches within competitive finswimming, where both broad capabilities and focused expertise can lead to top-tier performance.

Key Table: Leading Individual Medalists and Record Breakers at the 2025 CMAS European Championship

Athlete Name	Nationality	Key Events	Medal(s) Won	Record(s) Broken (if any)
Hrechko Sofiia	UKR	Women’s 200m SF, 400m SF, 800m SF	3 Gold
Kovacs Megyer	HUN	Men’s 1500m SF, 400m SF, 800m SF	3 Gold
Justus Morstedt	GER	Men’s 200m SF, 100m IM, 4x100m SF Relay	2 Gold, 1 Gold (relay)	ER (Men’s 200m SF)
Max Poschart	GER	Men’s 50m SF, 100m IM, 4x100m SF Relay	1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Gold (relay)	WR-ER (Men’s 50m SF)
Varnyu Anna Jadviga	HUN	Women’s 400m BF, 200m BF	2 Gold
Anna Leonardi	ITA	Women’s 1500m SF, 400m SF, 800m SF	1 Gold, 1 Bronze, 1 Silver	WJ-EJ (Women’s 1500m SF)
Szymon Kropidlowski	POL	Men’s 100m BF, Mixed 4x100m SB Relay	1 Gold, 1 Gold (relay)	WR-ER (Men’s 100m BF)
Julia Malachowska	POL	Women’s 50m AP, 50m SF	1 Gold, 1 Silver
Pernyesz Dorottya	HUN	Women’s 50m BF, 100m BF	1 Gold, 1 Silver

Event Highlights and Notable Performances

Several events stood out for their exceptional competitive intensity and memorable outcomes, contributing significantly to the championship’s overall success.

Men’s 50m SF Final

This event was arguably the most electrifying of the championship. Max Poschart’s stunning World and European Record performance of 14.83 seconds was a defining moment, marking a new era for sprint finswimming. The sheer intensity of this race, coming after he had already broken the European Record in the heats, captivated audiences and demonstrated the pinnacle of human speed in the water. The strategic progression from setting an European Record in the heats to breaking a World Record in the final of the Men’s 50m SF vividly illustrates the nuanced strategic element of competitive finswimming. Elite athletes must master the art of balancing energy conservation during preliminary rounds with unleashing their absolute peak performance in the high-stakes finals. This dynamic adds a compelling layer of strategic depth and excitement to the competition, rewarding not just raw speed but also intelligent race management.

Women’s 1500m SF Fast Heat

Anna Leonardi’s World Junior-European Junior record in this grueling long-distance event showcased not only her exceptional endurance but also the remarkable depth of talent emerging in the junior categories, promising future stars for the sport. Her performance highlighted the effectiveness of youth development programs in identifying and nurturing long-distance specialists.

Relay Excellence

The Men’s 4x50m SF relay saw the German team set a new World and European Record with a time of 1:00.47, underscoring the critical importance of teamwork, synchronized performance, and seamless transitions in finswimming. Similarly, Ukraine’s gold in the Women’s 4x200m SF (6:01.84) and Hungary’s gold in the Men’s 4x200m SF (5:27.32) further demonstrated the strength and cohesion of national teams. These relay events are often fan favorites, adding a collective dimension to individual prowess. High-stakes races, particularly those culminating in world record-breaking performances like the Men’s 50m SF final, generate immense excitement and attract significant media attention. This kind of electrifying, history-making performance is crucial for increasing the sport’s overall visibility, drawing in new fans, and inspiring future generations of finswimmers. The 2025 championship delivered on this front, providing numerous memorable and impactful moments that will resonate within the finswimming community and beyond.

Conclusion: Impact and Future Outlook

The 2025 CMAS European Championship Finswimming Indoor was a resounding success, setting new benchmarks for performance and showcasing the immense talent and competitive spirit within European finswimming. The numerous records broken, particularly the World Records, indicate a sport that is continuously evolving and pushing the limits of human athletic achievement. The emergence of young record-breakers like Anna Leonardi and consistent multi-medalists such as Hrechko Sofiia and Kovacs Megyer points to a vibrant and promising future for finswimming, with a strong pipeline of talent ready to continue this upward trajectory. The competitive balance observed among the top nations suggests that future championships will remain highly contested, promising more thrilling performances and the potential for even more records to fall.