The swimming meeting in Bolzano also attracts prominent names.

With big names: Bolzano invites to the Swimmeeting

Every year, the short-course swimming season kicks off with the South Tyrol Swimmeeting. This year marks the 29th edition of the event since 1997.

16 October 2025

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On November 15th and 16th, international stars and the best swimmers from South Tyrol will, as always, put on a great show on the short course at the Bozen parish hall. It's long been a tradition for Olympic medalists, world and European champions to compete in the 25-meter pool in Bozen. "This year, our meet will take place two weeks later than in 2024," says meet director Christian Mattivi. "The All Saints' and All Souls' weekend on November 1st and 2nd was out of the question for us, and the dates on November 7th and 8th would have conflicted with the Bozen Autumn Fair, so we were glad that Genoa swapped places with us."

This year's Nico Sapio Meeting will take place outside Bolzano. As in the previous year, the organizers are expecting around 550 participants from at least twelve countries. The proven program will be maintained. As always, the three fastest series (Top 24) in each discipline will be shown in a spectator-friendly format on Saturday afternoon from 16 p.m. to 18 p.m. and on Sunday at noon from 13.00 p.m. to 15.00 p.m. As always, all 50- and 100-meter disciplines will be swimmers.

Top-class starting field for swimming meeting

At the press conference next Thursday at the SSV Bozen headquarters, the organizers, as always, plan to present a top-class field of starters. Mattivi has been working with the organizing committee for weeks and months to secure top athletes from all over the world. "I can already name three big names," says the event director.

Arianna Castiglioni, one of the best Italian breaststroke swimmers of the past decade, is coming to the Talfer city. The 28-year-old now trains in Imola and, in addition to nearly 70 medals at Italian championships (including 23 gold), also boasts eleven medals at European championships. At the 2021 Short Course European Championships in Kazan, Russia, Castiglioni won gold in the 50m breaststroke. She also finished third in the 100m breaststroke at the 2014 Long Course European Championships in Berlin, and won silver at the same distance in Glasgow in 2019. A strong breaststroke swimmer from Italy has also confirmed her participation.

Korstanje brings medal experience

Alessandro Pinzuti's best times in the 100m breaststroke are 57,03 (short course) and 59,20 (long course). He has also won European Championship medals in the relay. The third prominent name to have already confirmed his participation comes from the Netherlands. Nyls Korstanje has already competed in the Olympic Games twice (2021, 2024) and has won medals ten times at major international events. The butterfly specialist finished third in the 50m butterfly at the 2024 Short Course European Championships in Budapest. With the Dutch team, he won gold in the mixed relay at the 2019 Short Course European Championships in Glasgow and the 2022 Long Course European Championships in Rome. At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, he finished sixth in the 100m butterfly.