The year is 2026.

The venue is Lago Sur in Santa Fe’s Parque del Sur in Argentina.

The swimmers are 273 in number from 39 countries.

The future is be showcased at the upcoming 2026 World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships in Santa Fe, Argentina held this week between September 3rd and 6th.

Young podium finishers at the World Junior Championships have continued to develop and shine at the Olympics, World Championships, and World Cup events around the world. Former Junior Championships stars include Kristóf Rasovszky of Hungary (2024 Olympic gold medalist, 2020 Olympic silver medalist, 2019 World Championship gold medalist), Dávid Betlehem of Hungary (2024 Olympic bronze medalist and 2026 World Cup winner), Sacha Velly of France (2025 and 2026 World Cup gold medalist), Paulo Strehlke of Mexico (2026 World Cup silver medalist), Katie Grimes of the USA (2024 400 IM Olympic silver medalist), and Claire Weinstein (2024 Olympic silver + World Championship gold, silver, and bronze),

This year should be no different.

Undoubtedly, the atmosphere in Santa Fe will be pressure packed for the youngest swimmers (see start lists below for the 14-15 years old), but venue and accommodations will also enveloped in fun and excitement.

World Aquatics Technical Open Water Swimming Committee Vice Chairperson Ferry Weertman says, “Beyond results, the event is also just an incredible experience. Racing against the best young swimmers from around the world builds friendships and memories that stay with you for life, wherever your career takes you.”

The 14-15 year old girl’s and boy’s 5 km races will be held on Friday, Day Two of the Championships.

Tomorrow, the 18-19 year old men’s and women’s 10 km races will be held at 9 am and 12 noon, respectively

Boy’s 5 km Start List, 14-15 Year

1. Valentino Cheruse, Argentina (born 16 March 2011)
2. Lautaro Milton, Argentina (born 21 October 2011)
3. Mason Kopff, Australia (born 2 March 2011)
4. Dominic Joseph Wright, Belize (born 17 January 2011)
5. Matias Romero, Bolivia (born 27 June 2012)
6. Rodrigo Cecchini, Brazil (born 3 May 2011)
7. Guilherme Schubach, Brazil (born 7 June 2011)
8. Max Lazare Gauvin, Canada (born 15 June 2011)
9. Kinan Jasem Radhe, Canada (born 29 June 2011)
10. Julian Sarmiento Lopez, Colombia (born 15 October 2011)
11. Matias Aguilar, Ecuador (born 19 December 2011)
12. Nathan Zapata Moreno, Ecuador (born 3 December 2012)
13. Tarek Mohammed Hasson, Egypt (born 30 January 2011)
14. Lazar Pannonhalmi, Hungary (born 18 May 2011)
15. Zeteny Sarkany Hungary (born 5 January 2011)
16. Aldo del Giudice, Italy (born 22 June 2011)
17. Kaishi Ohira, Japan (born 31 May 2011)
18. Timofey Lebedev, Kazakhstan (born 14 May 2011)
19. Nael Mbogori, Kenya (born 16 February 2011)
20. Jeremy Mwamisi, Kenya (born 1 August 2011)
21. Abel Gonzalez Banda, Mexico (born 18 May 2011)
22. Diego Lopez Morales, Mexico (born 19 March 2011)
23. Jacob Bergh Riley, Namibia (born 15 June 2011)
24. Dominic Barton, New Zealand (born 22 July 2011)
25. Benjamin Insfran, Paraguay (born 27 April 2012)
26. Juan Mendonca, Paraguay (born 16 April 2011)
27. Hiroshi Ibarra, Peru (born 31 August 2011)
28. Oskar Vertiz, Peru (born 4 February 2011)
29. Wilfred Nunez Vega, Puerto Rico (born 13 May 2011)
30. Daniel Rodriguez Otero, Puerto Rico (born 23 May 2012)
31. Carter Markgraaff, South Africa (born 5 January 2011)
32. Noah Nice, South Africa (born 5 March 2012)
33. Alan Nosov, Russia (born 9 May 2011)
34. Makar Ulianychev, Russia (born 27 September 2011)
35. Miroslav Zaborsky, Slovakia (born 26 June 2011)
36. Ethan Makalla, Tanzania (born 25 November 2011)
37. Yu-Yi Li, Chinese Taipei (born 17 February 2011)
38. Wu-Kuang Liao, Chinese Taipei (born 7 July 2011)
39. Ibrahim Burhan, Turkey (born 8 January 2011)
40. Diego Granero, Uruguay (born 11 August 2012)
41. Tadeo Puerto, Uruguay (born 12 November 2011)
42. Porter Debruin, USA (born 9 April 2011)
43. Sawyer Hansen, USA (born 20 May 2011)
44. Nelson Barrios Puche, Venezuela (born 28 May 2012)
45. Fabrizio Guzzo Camacho, Venezuela (born 28 April 2011)

Girl’s 5 km Start List, 14-15 Year

1. Martina Delpodio, Argentina (born 25 February 2012)
2. Sofia Ovalles, Argentina (byyorn 20 September 2011)
3. Chloe-Nicole Dirksz, Aruba (born 23 Nocember 2011)
4. Mia Hoo, Australia (born 24 May 2012)
5. Keyla Diaz, Bolivia (bon 10 November 2011)
6. Manuela Santos, Brazil (born 15 July 2011)
7. Luia Yang, Brazil (born 8 October 2012)
8. Sara Fajardo Camargo, Colombia (born 21 December 2011)
9. Isabella Alvarez, Ecuador (born 28 October 2011)
10. Victoria Cattan, Ecuador (born 11 June 2011)
11. Jana Ahmed Osman, Egypt (born 16 March 2011)
12. Nora Barta, Hungary (born 27 January 2011)
13. Janka Merai, Hungary (born 9 July 2011)
14. Valentina Solari, Italy (born 28 October 2011)
15. Karin Azuma, Japan (born 16 April 2011)
16. Darina Syssoyeva, Kazakhstan (born 6 May 2011)
17. Daniella Anderson, Kenya (born 28 May 2012)
18. Yaretzi Lomeli Garcia, Mexico (born 17 February 2011)
19. Paloma Palacios Garcia, Mexico (born 10 May 2012)
20. Amelia Hart-McEwan, New Zealand (born 5 May 2012)
21. Sofia Ramond, Paraguay (born 17 January 2011)
22. Anne Wagener Vittale, Paraguay (born 10 November 2011)
23. Adraina Castillo, Peru (born 7 November 2011)
24. Romina Ferreyros, Peru (born 28 July 2011)
25. Julia Bomba, Poland (born 7 August 2011)
26. Emilia Nikiel, Poland (born 8 May 2011)
27. Danna Figueroa Zeda, Puerto Rico (born 16 August 2011)
28. Aureliz Rodriguez, Puerto Rico (born 19 May 2011)
29. Shalea Hamilton, South Africa (born 21 June 2012)
30. Taylia Smith, South Africa (born 21 June 2012)
31. Kira Guseva, Russia (born 3 February 2012)
32. Anastasiia Siniakova, Russia (born 6 November 2011)
33. Amina Mohamed Borega, Tanzania (born 22 November 2011)
34. Yu-Ching Lin, Chinese Taipei (born 10 August 2012)
35. Pin-Cen Liu, Chinese Taipei (born 6 December 2011)
36. Ipek Su Ersan, Turkey (born 20 May 2011)
37. Melissa Harin, Uruguay (born 22 April 2011)
38. Ansley Bess, USA (born 7 November 2011)
39. Grace Gannon, USA (born 10 September 2012)
40. Camila Bello Villanueva, Venezuela (born 13 April 2011)
41. Ashley Mirabal Duarte, Venezuela (born 10 June 2011)

© 2026 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

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