Tomorrow, 16-year-old Amelie Blocksidge, from City of Salford Swimming Club, will proudly step onto the world stage as the only North West athlete representing Great Britain at the 2025 World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania.
This prestigious biannual event, running from 19th to 24th August 2025, brings together the world’s top junior swimmers aged 14 to 18 (as of 31st December 2025). Amelie will be competing in three of the most demanding events on the programme:
400m Freestyle
800m Freestyle
1500m Freestyle
As the current British national record holder in the 1500m freestyle for the 13, 14, 15 and 16-year age groups, Amelie heads into the competition in top form. She is currently ranked as the 15th fastest female swimmer in the world this year (and the 4th fastest junior) in the 1500m event, following her outstanding performance at last month’s European Junior Championships.
In 2022, Amelie made headlines by winning five titles, including open water, at the Speedo British Summer Championships, becoming one of the youngest athletes selected for the England Youth Squad.
In 2023, she won the British Swimming Championships 1500m freestyle title, breaking the national age group record. Later that year, she shattered the British 13-year-old short course record in the same event at the SENW Winter Regionals, taking down a mark set by Sara Hardcastle in 1985 — by an incredible 20 seconds (15:56.79). She also won the open water 5km Gold medal at the European Junior Swimming Championships in Corfu, Greece.
In 2024, Amelie dominated the 800m and 1500m freestyle at the Speedo Aquatics GB Swimming Championships, before securing double gold at the European Junior Championships in Vilnius, where she became the fastest British girl under 16 in the 800m freestyle.
That same year, she successfully defended her 5km open water title, showcasing her incredible versatility across both pool and open water disciplines.
Her achievements were recognised nationally when she was awarded ‘Swimming Emerging Athlete of the Year’ at the Aquatics GB Awards 2024.
In 2025, she retained both her 1500m and 800m freestyle titles at the Aquatics GB Championships, continuing her dominance in domestic competition.
Most recently, Amelie represented Great Britain at the European Junior Championships in Samorin, Slovakia, where she claimed gold in the 1500m freestyle and bronze in the 800m freestyle.
We’re sure you’ll agree, Amelie’s journey to date has been nothing short of inspirational. Her dedication, resilience, and exceptional performances make her a true role model for young swimmers across the country.
We all wish you the very best of luck as you take on some of the world’s best junior athletes in Romania. We know you’ll give it everything.
Go Amelie!
Photographs courtesy of City of Salford Swimming Club’s Facebook Page – (2.4.24 & 22.7.25)
