The Singapore world champion is set to make his European Championship debut in Poland: “The more strong people there are, the more stimulating it is for everyone. From my junior years, I’ve retained the desire to train and the hunger to win.”
A world champion’s debut. For Simone Cerasuolo, stepping onto the starting block at the European Short Course Championships in Lublin, Poland, on Tuesday, December 2, will have a special meaning: in the 100m breaststroke heats, he will have to go strong right from the start to be among the top two Italians, but also to present himself in the role that his summer gold in the 50m has carved out for him. He will also have to defend the image of the world champion, alongside an Olympian like Nicolò Martinenghi, an emerging talent like Ludovico Viberti, and a newcomer like Gabriele Mancini. It is a national team without Benedetta Pilato (who will not be able to defend her two-year title in the 50-meter breaststroke due to the disqualification that also involved Chiara Tarantino) and Greg Paltrinieri, who is now more involved in long-distance swimming, although he will continue to compete in the 1500-meter event. The Italian stars among the 30 athletes selected are Olympians Thomas Ceccon (competing only in the 100-meter backstroke scheduled for today and in the relays before leaving for Australia) and Nicolò Martinenghi, world champion Simone Cerasuolo, world silver medalist Simona Quadarella, and the newly recruited Sara Curtis (who will return to the US after the European Championships, skipping the winter nationals) and Carlos D’Ambrosio. Seven are making their debut: Alessandra Mao, Irene Burato, Paola Borrelli, Agata Maria Ambler, Giovanni Guatti, Francesco Lazzari, and Gabriele Mancini. Short course specialists Lorenzo Mora, Michele Busa, and Costanza Cocconcelli are back in the blue. Lorenzo Zazzeri and Silvia Di Pietro remain captains. With the Russians unable to obtain visas from Poland, the British and French will be competing. Italy will be looking to improve on its haul from Otopeni 2023, where it won 22 medals (7-12-3). Meanwhile, Cerasuolo talks about himself.
Cerasuolo, how has your life changed in just a few months? Will you feel the pressure of your new status?
“I think I’ll approach these European Championships with a carefree attitude and try to do my best. It’s important to me because last year I didn’t perform very well in the short course and I’d like to do well in the 25-meter as well. I’ve done a good round of training and haven’t had any problems so far. I’ve also done some good altitude training. I’ve trained well. I think I’ve made progress in training.“
Has your mentality changed in terms of how you approach your daily work?
”I’ve always been very good at approaching my daily work. But I’m definitely more aware now. The data shows that I’m on the right track, so I enjoy what I do even more. I put more flavor into it. A Romagna flavor.“
Perhaps there has never been as much competition as there is this time in the breaststroke: from now on, it will be a double challenge, between the Azzurri and their foreign opponents.
”Yes, already in the European Championships heats, we’ll have to ‘fight it out’ among ourselves because there will be four of us, but two will be left out. So we’ll already be there in the heats, ready to challenge each other. But I think it’s good for us and for the movement. You have to see it and experience it in a positive way. Because if you suffer it in the end…“.
Is it all a mental game?
”Well, definitely. You have to be focused. And don’t get caught up in useless things: mentally, you have to stay focused on the concrete things, stay concentrated, and try to do your job well.”
From Martinenghi to Viberti to the foreign players, will you be seen differently?
“I don’t know, I don’t think so. At the end of the day, I’m still me, but honestly, I don’t really care how others see me. I prefer to see how I see myself.”
And how do you see yourself as a world champion after a summer full of public engagements and catwalks?
“The best and most exciting moment was at the Juventus stadium, where I met Chiellini. I’ll be back. I love the world of sports and soccer, I never get tired of it. But I also understand what Thomas Ceccon says about distractions. Obviously, I don’t have the media attention that he has yet, and I don’t like it too much, so I see myself in him a little bit. It’s not always nice to talk about yourself. When I can, I stay quiet in my city.“
Did you ask Martinenghi or Scozzoli for more advice on how to live with and manage success?
”I spoke to Martinenghi at the World Championships in Singapore. I see Scozzoli more often at training, and obviously he gave me more advice. But I asked my family for more help, as they only want what’s best for me.”
After winning gold at the World Championships, news broke that the 50-meter breaststroke will be an Olympic event from 2028, meaning there will be two opportunities at the Olympics: the 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke. You will go to Paris in 2026 only for the European Championships. Will you take your revenge in Los Angeles?
“For now, I’m training for both distances. I want to improve in both. I’m not thinking about just one race at all. It’s not the right time to think about that yet. Maybe the time will come, we’ll see what the future brings. But right now, the focus is definitely on preparing for the two races.“
How do you imagine the arrival of more mature breaststroke swimmers like Peaty in the race you won?
”Peaty won’t be going to Los Angeles just to participate. Any champion who shows up on the starting block will want to have their say, and I’m sure that if he comes, he’ll have his say. We Italians, and we don’t know who will be there, will sell ourselves dearly.”
The Russians won’t be at the European Championships: will it be easier this week?
“I’m sorry they won’t be there. The Russians are very strong in breaststroke. I would have liked to compete against Prigoda and Shymanovich again. I hope to see them in Paris in the summer. The more strong people there are, the more stimulating it is for everyone. So it’s always a good thing.“
What remains of the Cerasuolo who set the junior world record in the 50-meter breaststroke?
”Definitely the desire to train, the desire to prove his worth to himself. And to continue fighting every day for his dreams.”
He always gets pumped up with Juve…
“My motto ‘until the end’ is the same as that of the Bianconeri, as we saw in the Champions League. I can apply it to swimming too. I like Spalletti. He’s a man who knows his stuff and is very intelligent. I think Juve will do well.”
Among his idols are Allegri and Sinner. Who would you like to meet first?
“Beyond Juve, I’d really like to meet both of them now. I’m sure it will happen very soon.”
A swimmer who sees tennis winning?
“What Sinner has done in recent years has changed the way we see individual sports. What Sinner did with his victory at Wimbledon and that historic final at Roland Garros remain unforgettable examples. Sinner has changed individual sports in Italy. He is a sports figure to be admired. I can’t wait to meet him.“
Is humility something you have in common?
”Yes, absolutely. He is a very calm person. He likes to work on what he loves. And in the end, humility and hard work together create the best path to victory. That doesn’t necessarily mean becoming world champion, but it is a personal success.“
Every morning, when you go to training, do you look at the gold medal from Singapore?
”I don’t look at it every day, but often in difficult moments it reminds me a little of the strength of those moments. Looking back at that final makes everything better in my day.“
Winning is difficult, but is repeating it a different and more complicated challenge?
”Yes, the challenge is always greater, but in the end, that’s also the beauty of it. Those who win must try to stay at the top, those who don’t win must try to make up for it. That’s the beauty of sport. Defeats help you grow and lead to the most beautiful moments.“
What gift did you give yourself for the world gold medal?
”The gift I gave myself is more of a gift from the heart: I got a dog, a chocolate Labrador. His name is Singa, from Singapore…”
