ROME – Italy claimed 19 medals at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, placing them sixth in the medal table. The Italians won three gold medals, ten silver medals and six bronze medals across different disciplines.

 Italy’s first gold came in the form of Giorgio Minisini who won the men’s free solo artistic swimming, after also claiming silver in the technical singles.

 Star swimmer, Simona Quadarella, returned to the podium, winning both the 800m and the 1500m freestyle. In doing so, she qualified for the Paris Olympics later this year.

 The Italian team saw a collection of silver medals across various disciplines. In addition to Minisini’s individual silver, Nicolò Martinenghi placed second in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Alberto Razzetti was pipped to the post by Japan’s Tomoru Honda in the 200m butterfly and Alessandro Miressi was beaten by world record holder Pan Zhanle in the 100m freestyle.

 Silvers also came in multiple team races. The team consisting of Giulia Gabbrielleschi, Arianna Bridi, Gregorio Paltrinieri and Domenico Acerenza came second in the mixed open water 4x1500m relay. Italy also claimed silver in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay thanks to Alessandro Miressi, Lorenzo Zazzeri, Paolo Conte Bonin and Manuel Frigo.

 Giovanni Tocci and Lorenzo Marsaglia placed second in the men’s 3m synchronised springboard and Chiara Pellacani and Matteo Santoro finished second in the mixed 3m synchronized diving.

 The men’s water polo team claimed silver after they were defeated by Croatia in the finals, who won 15-13 after a penalty shootout. Both Italy and Croatia are competing at the Paris Olympics.

 The Italian representatives also claimed six bronze medals. The five individual medals came in the form of Benedetta Pilato in the 100m breaststroke, Sara Franceschi in the 400m individual medley, Gregorio Paltrinieri in the 800m freestyle, Alberto Razzetti in the 200m individual medley and Domenico Acerenza in the 5000m open water swimming. The men’s 4x100m medley relay team consisting of Michele Lamberti, Nicolò Martinenghi, Gianmarco Sansone and Alessandro Miressi also placed third.

 Italy is looking to field a strong squad for the Paris Olympics, for which several swimmers have already qualified. Doha has proven that the Italian swimming team has immense potential, however it remains to be seen if they can claim any Olympic titles.

 Italy has won a total of 26 medals for swimming at the Olympics, with the last gold medal being won by Paltrinieri at the 2016 games.