See all of our 2023 Swammy Awards here.
CANADIAN MALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR: JOSH LIENDO
As the country’s lone male World Championship medalist, Josh Liendo runs away with his third consecutive Swammy Award for Canadian Male Swimmer of the Year, but what he did in 2023 extended far beyond Fukuoka.
A freshman at the University of Florida, Liendo’s year got started at the SEC Championships in February, where he won an individual conference title in the men’s 100 fly (44.11), recorded a pair of runner-up finishes in the 50 free (18.39) and 100 free (41.24)—setting best times of 18.35 and 41.22 in the prelims—while also reeling off some blistering relay splits for the Gators, including an 18.02 leg in the 200 free relay and a 43.35 fly split (#2 all-time, at the time) in the 400 medley relay that were victorious.
With 88 individual points, Liendo was Florida’s top scorer, leading the Gators to their 11th straight SEC title.
Liendo followed that performance up with an even better one at his debut NCAA Championship meet in Minneapolis, winning the national title in the 100 free in a time of 40.28, ranking him #2 all-time behind Florida alum Caeleb Dressel, and he was also the runner-up in the 50 free (18.40) and 100 fly (43.40), ranking #3 all-time in the latter.
A swimmer tailor-made for the NCAA format, Liendo was once again an absolute dynamo for Florida on the relays, playing a key role for the Gators as they set new NCAA and U.S. Open Records in the 200 free, 400 free and 400 medley relays. This included the 200 free relay breaking the historic 14-year-old super-suited mark previously held by Auburn, and in the 400 medley relay, Liendo’s 42.91 fly leg was the fastest of all-time.
The NCAA Championships bled directly into the Canadian World Trials, as the now 21-year-old had just a few days in between meets before having to switch gears to long course and vie for World Championship qualification.
Transitioning seamlessly, Liendo broke the Canadian Record in both the 50 fly (23.27) and 100 fly (50.36) in Toronto, and cruised to victory in the 50 free (21.80) and 100 free (47.86).
At the World Championships, Liendo claimed Canada’s lone medal on the men’s side of the pool in the 100 fly, clocking 50.34 to lower his National Record and earn silver, two-tenths behind Frenchman Maxime Grousset.
Liendo also placed 14th in the 100 free (48.22) and 15th in the 50 fly (23.33) in Fukuoka, opting to scratch out of the 50 free final (after advancing in eighth) to put his full focus on the 100 fly.
He also dropped a 50.02 fly split on the Canadian men’s 400 medley relay in prelims, and added a 47.60 anchor leg of the 400 free relay to put Canada firmly in the men’s final where they placed fifth.
The North York Aquatic Club product finishes 2023 ranked third in the world in the 100 fly, 15th in the 50 free and 16th in the 100 free.
Liendo has continued his standout NCAA career thus far in his sophomore season, currently ranking first in the nation in the 100 free, second in the 50 free and third in the 100 fly through midseason invitationals.
A few weeks ago at the U.S. Open, he had a strong long course showing given the time of year, clocking 21.90 in the 50 free, 48.60 in the 100 free and 51.42 in the 100 fly.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- Ilya Kharun — Kharun had a breakout summer in the long course pool, and more recently a standout fall short course-yard season in the NCAA, to establish himself as a threat to land on an Olympic podium next year. The 18-year-old kicked the year off by shattering the Canadian Record in the 200 fly by nearly two seconds in a time of 1:54.49 at the Fort Lauderdale Pro Swim in early March, and after comfortably qualifying for all three fly events for his first LC World Championships, he delivered in Fukuoka. Kharun challenged for a medal in the 200 fly, finishing fourth in 1:53.82, breaking the Canadian Record for the second time in as many days after going 1:54.28 in the semis. He also finished ninth in the 100 fly, hitting a PB of 51.22, and tied Liendo’s Canadian Record in the 50 fly in both the prelims and semis in 23.27, ultimately placing 14th. Joining Arizona State University for his freshman collegiate season this fall, Khaurn has been on an absolute tear with the Sun Devils, currently ranking #1 in the NCAA in the 200 fly and #2 in the 100 fly while also establishing himself as a relay asset with some blistering splits across free and fly. In 2023, he sits tied for fifth in the world in the 200 fly and 17th in the 100 fly.
- Finlay Knox — Knox earns a nod as an Honorable Mention after his impressive performance in the 200 IM at the Canadian Trials in March, resetting his National Record by just over two-tenths in a time of 1:57.26. The swim marked the fourth time he had broken the record, and ranks him 11th in the world for 2023, the highest among Canadian men not named Liendo or Kharun. The 22-year-old went on to finish 13th in the event at the World Championships in 1:58.23, and swam on the men’s 400 free relay (48.70 split) that finished fifth.
seeing Santo in the past winners list still makes me lol
2 years in a row!
How many swimswam categories has he been eligible for? 🙂
I would have put Laon Kim in as an honourable mention as well. He broke all of the 13-14 NAG records in freestyle, including the 1500m which goes back to 1979 (from the legendary Alex Baumann)
Laon & Lorne bothe had great seasons. I think Laon will swim fast this weekend. Training in Calgary you don’t always see fast in season swims in the longer events. But his speed has been on point so far.
Look for a 4×200 NAG at OJI
With his freestyle races being so off at World’s it makes me think he could have done more in his 100 fly as well despite the best time. He definitely has more to give, excited to see what he does next year.
He can win 100 fly in Paris.
I’m sorry but what about Brayden Taivassalo??? He’s still a kid cooking everyone he races
By “kid” did you mean 19 years old? Liendo is 21. And by “cooking everyone he races”, he competed in 1 event at Worlds and placed 30th
I’d put Lorne ahead of Brayden if we’re ranking. 9th at worlds, 3rd in both IMs at Jr Worlds and 4th in 400 Free.
This summer is his moment. I expect him and Caeleb to push each other to greatness