The Singapore world champion is set to make his European Championships debut in Poland: “The more strong competitors there are, the more inspiring 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 100-meter breaststroke heats, he’ll have to go out strong right away not only to be among the top two Italian swimmers but also to live up to the role that his summer gold medal in the 50-meter event has carved out for him. He’ll also have to defend his status as world champion, competing alongside an Olympian like Nicolò Martinenghi, a rising star like Ludovico Viberti, and a newcomer like Gabriele Mancini. This national team is missing Benedetta Pilato (who will not be able to defend her title from two years ago in the 50-meter breaststroke due to the suspension that also involved Chiara Tarantino) and Greg Paltrinieri, who is now more focused on long-distance events, although he will continue to compete in the 1,500-meter events. The Italian standouts among the 30 selected athletes are Olympians Thomas Ceccon (competing only in the 100 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 long-distance specialists Sara Curtis (who will return to the U.S. after the European Championships, skipping the Italian Winter Championships) and Carlos D’Ambrosio. Seven athletes are making their national team 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 returning to the Italian national team. Lorenzo Zazzeri and Silvia Di Pietro remain as captains. With the Russians absent—having failed to obtain visas from Poland—the competition will feature the British and French teams. Italy will aim to match its performance from Otopeni 2023, where it earned 22 podium finishes (7 gold, 12 silver, 3 bronze). Meanwhile, Cerasuolo shares his thoughts.
Cerasuolo, how has your life changed in just a few months? Will you feel the pressure of your new status?
“I plan to approach these European Championships with a carefree attitude; I’ll try to do my best. It’s important to me because last year in the short course I wasn’t able to perform at my best, and I’d like to do well in the 25-meter events too. I’ve had a good training cycle so far—no setbacks. I also had a good high-altitude training camp. I’ve trained well. I believe I’ve made progress in training.”
Has your mindset also changed in terms of how you approach your daily training?
“I’ve always been very disciplined in my daily training routine. But I definitely have more awareness now. Based on the data, this is the right path I’m on, so I’m getting even more enjoyment out of what I do. I’m putting more passion into it. A Romagna-style passion.”
Perhaps there’s never been as much competition in the breaststroke as there is this time: from now on, it’ll be a double challenge, between the Italian national team and foreign opponents.
“Yes, even in the European Championships heats, we’ll have to ‘battle it out’ among ourselves because there will be four of us, but two will be eliminated. So we’ll already be there in the heats, ready to face off against each other. But I think it’s good for us and for the sport anyway. You have to view it and experience it in a positive way. Because if you just let it get to you in the end…”.
Is it all a mental game, too?
“Well, definitely. You have to stay focused. And don’t get caught up in unnecessary things: mentally, you have to stay grounded in the facts, stay focused, and try to do your job well.”
From Martinenghi to Viberti to the foreign players—will people see you differently now?
“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 much about how others see me. I’d rather see myself the way I see myself.”
And how do you see yourself as a world champion after a summer full of public appearances and red-carpet events?
“The best and most exciting moment was at the Juventus Stadium—I met Chiellini. I’ll be back there. The world of sports and soccer drives me wild; I never get tired of it. But I also understand what Thomas Ceccon says about distractions. Obviously, I don’t have the same media attention he does yet, and I don’t really like it—in that sense, I see a bit of myself in him. It’s not always nice to talk about yourself. Whenever I can, I just relax in my hometown.”
Did you ask Martinenghi or Scozzoli for more advice on how to live with and manage success?
“I spoke with Martinenghi at the World Championships in Singapore. I see Scozzoli more often at training sessions, and of course he’s given me more advice. But I’ve turned to my family for more support—they want nothing but the best for me.”
After your world championship gold, news broke that the 50-meter breaststroke will be an Olympic event starting in 2028, so you’ll have two opportunities at the Olympics: the 50- and 100-meter breaststroke. You’ll be going to Paris in 2026 just for the European Championships—will you get your revenge in Los Angeles?
“For now, I’m training for both distances. I want to improve in both. I’m definitely not thinking about just one race. It’s not 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 those two races.“
How do you envision more experienced breaststroke swimmers like Peaty making an impact in the race you won?
”A swimmer like Peaty won’t go to Los Angeles just to participate. Any champion who steps up to the starting block will want to make his mark; I’m sure that if he comes, he’ll make his mark. We Italians—and we don’t know who else will be there—will put up a good fight.”
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 the breaststroke. I would have liked to compete against Prigoda and Shymanovich again. I hope to see them in Paris this summer. The more strong competitors there are, the more inspiring it is for everyone. So it’s always a good thing.”
What remains of that Cerasuolo who set the junior world record in the 50-meter breaststroke?
“Definitely the desire to train, the desire to prove to himself what he’s capable of. And to keep fighting every day for his dreams.”
He always gets fired up by Juve…
“My motto, ‘until the end,’ is the same as the Bianconeri’s, as we saw in the Champions League. I can apply that 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 most like to meet first?
“Aside from Juve, I’d really love to meet both of them right now. I’m sure it’ll happen very soon.”
A swimmer who watches tennis and wins?
“What Sinner has done in recent years has truly changed the way we view individual sports. What Sinner achieved with his victory at Wimbledon and that historic final at Roland Garros remain unforgettable moments. Sinner has truly transformed individual sports in Italy. He’s a sports figure who deserves our utmost admiration. I can’t wait to meet him.”
Is humility something you both share?
“Yes, absolutely. He’s a very calm person. He likes to work on what he loves. And in the end, humility and hard work together are still the best path to victory. That doesn’t necessarily mean becoming a world champion, but it is a personal success.”
Every morning, when he goes to practice, does he look at his gold medal from Singapore?
“I don’t look at it every day, but often during difficult moments it reminds me a bit of the strength I had back then. Watching that final again makes my day so much better.”
Winning is hard—is repeating that success a different and more complicated challenge?
“Yes, the challenge keeps getting tougher, 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 a comeback. That’s the beauty of sports. Defeats help you grow and lead to the most beautiful moments.“
What gift did you give yourself for winning 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, after Singapore…”
