Eighteen-year-old Filip Nowacki, an A-level student from Jersey, has become a breakthrough star at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, securing gold and silver medals and defeating his idol, Adam Peaty. Nowacki's performances have positioned him as one of swimming's emerging sensations.

Nowacki's journey to the pool began with a childhood aversion to water, famously crying before early swimming lessons. His parents' insistence on swimming proficiency, necessary for activities like cliff jumping at Greve de Lecq beach, eventually led to an enjoyment of the sport. By age seven or eight, he joined a local club, finding his niche in pool swimming over open-water challenges in Jersey.

Despite a slight frame not suited for contact sports, Nowacki excelled in swimming, cycling, and running. A pivotal moment came at age 14 when he won four gold medals at the national swimming championships in Sheffield. This success led to his move to Millfield boarding school for his sixth-form studies, allowing him more time to refine his technique.

Last year, after completing his lower-sixth exams, Nowacki won the 200m breaststroke at the Junior European Championships with a time that would have earned a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competing in Glasgow, he noted the advantage of not having A-level studies to contend with, allowing full focus on the Games.

Nowacki acknowledged the significant physical differences between himself and competitors like Peaty, who relies on bulldog-like power. Nowacki described himself as more akin to a 'skimming stone,' emphasizing a fluid, gliding style suited for momentum. He has sought advice from Peaty, whom he admires, and has had conversations with the veteran swimmer.

"This is the first competition where I haven’t had maths or physics to worry about in the background," Nowacki stated. "I had all my A levels leading up to these Games, which was quite intense. I was spending a lot of time on my iPad reading over notes and making flash cards. Knowing I don’t have any schoolwork to do whilst I’ve been here has been quite nice!"

Olympic silver medallist and TNT Sports expert Michael Jamieson noted Nowacki's similarities to past champions like Kosuke Kitajima, citing his natural speed and relatively small stature. Jamieson highlighted Nowacki's technical perfection, longer stroke, lower stroke rate, and excellent streamline position as key attributes, particularly for the 200m distance. He observed that Nowacki's technique allows him to maintain hip height and glide efficiently, avoiding the struggles of heavier swimmers in the latter stages of a race.

"Filip is swimming times that have never been seen from an 18-year-old so he’s a real trailblazer," Jamieson said. "He’s already right at the sharp end of the global rankings... Filip has just come out of juniors and he’s already right behind them."

Nowacki's success at the Commonwealth Games is seen as a launchpad for future achievements, with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics a potential target. "Every athlete dreams of the Olympic Games," he said. "They are staging the swimming in a 40-thousand capacity arena which will be unreal. Coming here and winning medals is a big step in the right direction."

Jamieson added that Nowacki has potential for further improvement and should be a strong medal contender in 2028. "It’s a monumental step to win your first senior title immediately after your junior career. He’s going to emerge as the face of the men’s breaststroke scene and his support team need to manage that. He’s made it look so easy and that’s fantastic news for both Jersey and Great Britain."