The 2026 Open Belgian Swimming Championships, held in Antwerp, Belgium, from May 15th to 17th, showcased the nation's aquatic prowess. The highlight of the final day was a thrilling 200m breaststroke showdown, where Noah de Schryver etched his name in history.
De Schryver, a 24-year-old swimmer, shattered his own national record with a stunning 2:10.15, marking the best performance of his career. This achievement was a significant improvement from his previous personal best of 2:10.83, set at the same competition three years prior. The race was a close affair, with de Schryver finishing just a second behind Olympic medalist Caspar Corbeau of the Netherlands, who claimed gold with a time of 2:09.17.
Corbeau's performance was a testament to his exceptional talent, as he narrowly missed the season-best 2:08.76 set at the Malmsten Swim Open Stockholm, which would have ranked him as the 7th-fastest man in the world this season. Bartel Vranken secured the bronze medal, completing the podium.
The women's 200m breaststroke final was equally captivating, with Olympic medalist Tes Schouten of the Netherlands emerging victorious. Schouten, who had missed the previous championship season due to health issues, demonstrated her resilience with a solid 2:24.60, leaving her competitors in her wake. Grace Palmer and Zinke Delcommune of Belgium secured the minor medals, with Palmer finishing in 2:27.77 and Delcommune in 2:29.82.
Schouten's performance was impressive, as she finished just over a second behind her season-best 2:23.35, which had earned her a spot in the top 7 of the world rankings. National record holder Florine Gaspard made waves in the women's 50m freestyle, clocking a speedy 24.94, the only time to break the 25-second barrier. Fleur Bussels and Nore Michiels claimed silver and bronze, respectively.
Gaspard's national record of 24.42, set at the 2024 Swim Open Stockholm, remained intact, as she finished just over half a second off that mark. She has been consistently swift this season, with a time of 24.61 at the Lausanne Swim Cup, currently ranking her 15th in the world.
The championships also witnessed other standout performances. Sarah Dumont claimed gold in the women's 400m freestyle with a personal best of 4:08.42, a significant improvement from her previous best of 4:10.47. Lucas Henveaux dominated the men's 1500m freestyle, setting a personal best of 15:16.95, with Florentin Lovens and Gautier Sobrie following in second and third, respectively. The Belgian record of 15:11.04, set by Tom Vangeneugden in 2008, remains an enduring benchmark yet to be broken.
In summary, the 2026 Open Belgian Swimming Championships showcased the nation's swimming prowess, with record-breaking performances and exciting races that left spectators enthralled. The event served as a testament to the dedication and talent of the Belgian swimmers, who continue to make their mark on the global aquatic stage.
