Eleven World Records Broken on Opening Day of Virtus World Swimming Championships

The 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships opened in grand style today at Assumption University in Bangkok, bringing together athletes, officials, and delegates from 31 nations for what promises to be a historic celebration of sport and inclusion.

The ceremony was graced by distinguished guests including Major General Osoth Bhavilai, President of the ASEAN Para Sport Federation, Paul Charnvit, President of Virtus Thailand, as well as Board members of Virtus and Virtus Asia.

Athletes proudly marched into the arena representing 31 nations: Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Neutral Virtus Athletes, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.

The opening ceremony reflected both local tradition and global spirit. Children with Down syndrome and intellectual impairment from a local school delighted the audience with a traditional Thai dance, followed by a rousing performance from legendary Thai pop star Tik Shiro. The festivities concluded with a stunning artistic swimming display by Thai athletes, showcasing the host nation’s rich cultural and sporting talent.

In his opening remarks, Barry Holman, Secretary General of Virtus, praised the athletes and the Thai organisers:

“This championship is about far more than medals. It is about celebrating excellence, unity, and the power of opportunity. Already this morning, seven world records have been broken — a remarkable testament to the talent, determination, and spirit of these swimmers. This event sets a new benchmark for Virtus competitions worldwide, from the exceptional venue and warm hospitality to the cutting-edge live-streaming technology. On behalf of Virtus, I extend our heartfelt thanks to Virtus Thailand and our valued sponsors who have made this possible.”

Paul Charnvit, President of Virtus Asia, emphasised the importance of the championship for the region:

“We are proud to provide a platform where athletes with an intellectual impairment can showcase their talent and inspire the world. With the support of the ASEAN Para Sport Federation, the Sports Authority of Thailand, and our venue partners, this championship is proof of what collaboration can achieve.”

Major General Osoth Bhavilai echoed the same spirit of inclusion:

“We are proud to witness athletes with an intellectual impairment being given the recognition and opportunities they deserve. This championship highlights not only athletic excellence but also the inclusive spirit that unites our region.”

With records already falling on the opening day and the stage set for more thrilling performances, the Bangkok 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships are shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of sport, inclusion, and human potential.

Virtus World Records Fall on Day One of #Bangkok2025

Day one of the 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships in Bangkok saw a cascade of world records across the II1, II2, and II3 categories, with athletes not only rewriting history in the heats but also bettering their own marks in the finals.

In the II1 category, Japan’s Naohide Yamaguchi electrified the pool with a Virtus world record of 29.62 seconds in the 50m Breaststroke heats. He went on to lower the mark again in the finals with a sensational 29.02 seconds, underlining his dominance.

The II2 category brought another standout moment as Camino Martinez of Spain stormed to victory in the 400m Freestyle, setting a new world record of 6:01.93.  The South African women’s II2 team thrashed the Virtus world Record for the 4x100m Freestyle Relay with 6:09.42.

The II3 category produced a flurry of records. Axel Parisot (France) set the pace with a 4:10.05 Virtus world record in the 400m Freestyle, while Australia’s Kate Wallington not only claimed the women’s 400m Freestyle world record (4:34.87) but added another in the 50m Breaststroke (37.04). Reflecting on her milestone swims, Wallington shared:

“I’ve spent my entire swimming career criticising myself but today, all I am is proud.”

Fellow Australian Ella Hoye battled through illness to seize the 100m Backstroke Virtus world record in 1:12.57, saying:

“I felt horrible as I’ve been sick all week, but all the training I’ve done went to plan.”

Australia’s dominance continued with Morgan Hill, who broke the 100m Backstroke record in the heats (1:06.52) before lowering it again in the finals to 1:06.45. To cap off an extraordinary day, the Australian Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay team stormed home in 3:56.76, setting yet another world record.

Phakhawat Kumarasing landed the nation’s it’s first gold medal for Thailand 400m Freestyle

With records falling across every classification, the opening day showcased not only the depth of talent within Virtus sport but also the resilience, pride, and determination of athletes competing on the world stage.

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Official results can be accessed from here.

Watch the livestream on Virtus’ YouTube channel.