August 26, 2019 - An outstanding weekend for PK Jadran Split swimmer Franko Grgić who has celebrated two gold medals and achieved new records at the 7th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Budapest.

After winning the gold in the 800-meter-freestyle while breaking a Croatian record just three days ago, Franko Grgić has left his fans no time to recover from the celebration - the 16-year-old swimming sensation has done it again, this time becoming the world champion in the 1500-meter-freestyle, reports HRT.

Namely, Grgić won the World Junior Championship title in the 1500-meters-freestyle at the World Championships in Budapest and even achieved a new world junior record with a time of 14:46.09 minutes.

Grgić swam 10.46 seconds faster in Budapest than his best-ever record in the 1500 meters, which was also Croatia's national record.

Just how dominant Grgić has been in Hungary is shown by his advantage of 13.10 seconds over silver Australian Thomas Neill, or 19.08 seconds over the bronze medalist Russian Ilya Sibirtsev.

“I practiced swimming at my own pace, regardless of the others, and that is how I started this race. I believe in myself, I am aware of my reach, but I think I can do a lot more than I have shown,” Franko Grgić said after the win.

Recall, just three days ago, the 16-year-old wunderkid won the gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Budapest in the 800-meter freestyle. Grgić celebrated with a score of 7:45.92 ahead of Russian Ilia Sibirtsev and Australian Thomas Neill, who were more than two seconds behind him.

Franko’s previous career-fastest in the 800-meter free was achieved in Zagreb in March where he swam 7:53.75. In Budapest, however, Grgić was 8 seconds faster, thus breaking the Croatian record held by Marin Mogić (7:51:78). 

Grgić was thus named the 25th fastest performer of all-time, any age, in this 800-meter freestyle.

Earlier this year, Grgić won the gold in the 400-meter and 1500 meter at the EYOF in Baku, and also hit the Olympic standard for Tokyo 2020.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

August 23, 2019 - Franko Grgić took the World Junior Championships title on Thursday in the 800-meter freestyle race.

Earlier this year, young Split swimmer Franko Grgić hit the Olympic standard for Tokyo 2020. Today, his excellent form has only strengthened as he brings home the gold medal from the World Junior Championships in Budapest, reports 24 Sata. 

“I do not know what others expected and whether this was a surprise for them, but it is definitely no surprise to me because I was preparing for this,” said the new Croatian record holder after taking part in the Croatian team championships back in March at the Kantrida pool in Rijeka, where he broke the Croatian record for 1,500 meters (14:56.55), thus hitting the Olympic standard for next summer. 

Today, Grgić has only gotten better.

Namely, the 16-year-old won the gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Budapest in the 800-meter freestyle! Grgić celebrated with a score of 7:45.92 ahead of Russian Ilia Sibirtsev and Australian Thomas Neill, who were more than two seconds behind him.

Franko’s previous career-fastest in the 800-meter free was achieved in Zagreb in March where he swam 7:53.75. In Budapest, however, Grgić was 8 seconds faster, thus breaking the Croatian record held by Marin Mogić (7:51:78). 

Grgić is thus the 25th fastest performer of all-time, any age, in this 800 meter freestyle, reports SwimSwam.com. 

The young Jadran Split swimmer is on his way to becoming one of Croatia’s greats. In an interview for 24 Sata back in March, he described his 'champion schedule'.

“I get up at 5:00, have a quick breakfast because I'm already in a training session at 6:00 that lasts an hour and a half. From the pool, I hurry to school, which starts at 8:00 and lasts until 14:00, then back to the pool, to another training session that lasts from 14:45-17:30, sometimes until 18:00. After that, I eat well, study for a little while, and at 9:30 pm I go to sleep. I am saved by my parents who take me and bring me to the pool. Otherwise, I would not have a way to get there.”

Franko’s schedule is a nightmare for most sixteen-year-olds.

“When my peers go out, I'm already in bed. It's not always easy, but when you have a goal in front of you that you want to reach, it's easier. Sometimes I go out with friends to a cafe, but swimming is always first,” said the 187 cm tall and 70 kg swimmer and the great hope of Croatian sport.

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