Teenager named swimmer of the year after international success

A Frome swimmer has been named Somerset ASA Swimmer of the Year after a season competing in Sweden and on the international stage. 

Hugo Jones, 19, won silver and bronze medals at the Swedish Nationals in Boras, finishing second in the U21 800m freestyle and third overall in the senior 800m freestyle. He also placed fourth in the 400m freestyle and fifth in the 200m freestyle.

Hugo, who has dual nationality, said, “This season and year has gone from strength to strength with solid performances against world class swimmers, the experiences I’m gaining competing at the highest level is giving me progression.”

Hugo began his competitive swimming journey at Frome Swimming Club in 2016 before joining Team Bath AS in 2021. He has enjoyed a breakthrough 12 months earning invitations to train with the Swedish National Team, giving him the opportunity to attend training camps in Stockholm, Málaga and Egypt while competing against some of Europe’s top swimmers.

“Whilst also training with team Sweden during this summer the pathway I‘m currently on is giving me the opportunities to compete at the highest level and training daily with world class swimmers,” Hugo said.

His international racing began in Sweden before continuing at the prestigious Bergen Swim Festival in Norway, where he produced a series of outstanding performances while representing Södertörns Simsällskap. Hugo broke Team Bath AS’s long-standing 200m freestyle club record with a time of 1:53.71, surpassing a record that had stood since 2016.

Just one week earlier, Hugo also broke the club’s 400m freestyle record at the Malmsten Open in Sweden, ending a mark that had remained unbeaten since 2011.

The records continued to fall throughout the season. Hugo set a long-course 800m freestyle club record before adding short-course records in the 400m and 800m freestyle. At the Somerset County Championships, he lowered the club’s 1500m freestyle record by more than a minute to become the senior county champion.

Head of Swimming at Team Bath AS, Liam Willcox, said, “Hugo’s progress over the last 18 months has been exceptional. He’s earned every opportunity through his commitment, consistency and willingness to embrace new challenges. Training with the Swedish National Team and now competing at the Swedish National Championships are fantastic milestones, but they’re the result of years of hard work rather than overnight success.

“We’re all incredibly proud of what he’s achieved so far. He’s a great ambassador for Team Bath AS, Frome Swimming Club and Somerset and we’re excited to see what the future holds for him.”