Dolphin swimmer Lev Lobanets wins eight medals at the Munster Aspiring Champions competition

Cork swimming sensation Lev Lobanets has continued his breakthrough year by claiming eight medals at the Munster Aspiring Champions competition in Limerick.

The 15-year old won four gold, two silver, and two bronze medal, in addition to recording the third fastest time across all male age groups in the 50m Butterfly.

This follows on from the Dolphin Swimming Club athlete claiming multiple titles at this year’s Irish Summer Youth & Senior Championships – including gold in the 50m butterfly and four silver medals.

The teenager also recorded two National Junior Pathway qualifying times at that tournament, which opens him up to a place in the Irish squad.

Lobanets was thrilled with his performance at the Munster Aspiring Champions competition, but he wants to improve going into the Irish Winter National Championships this December.

“I’m really happy with how the Aspiring Championships went,” he told The Echo.

“I honestly didn’t expect to come away with eight medals, including four golds! 

"I was especially happy with my 50m butterfly because I won gold in my age group and had the third-fastest time overall. 

"I’ve been training really hard, so it’s nice to see it paying off. But I know I can still go faster!” 

The next big tournament is the Irish Winter National Championships in Dublin and Lobanets is preparing for that event every day.

“I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully getting some more personal bests,” he said.

“I’ve also been selected for the Swim Ireland Junior Pathway Programme, which I’m really excited about. 

"It’s a great chance to learn and train with other talented swimmers from around Ireland.

“For now, I just want to keep training, get faster and see how far I can go. 

"I’d love to represent Ireland at international competitions one day. That’s definitely the dream!” 

Lobanets was also honoured to meet Lord Mayor Councillor Damien Boylan as part of a delegation from Dolphin Swimming Club.

“It was really cool to meet the Lord Mayor,” he said.

“I never thought swimming would give me opportunities like that, so it was a great experience.

“It’s also a big year for my club, Dolphins Swimming Club, because we’re celebrating 125 years, which is pretty amazing. 

"I’m proud to be part of it.

“One thing I’d really love to see is a 50m swimming pool built in Cork. 

"We have so many good swimmers here, but we don’t have a proper Olympic-size pool to train in. 

"We often have to travel to other cities to swim in a 50m pool. I think Cork really deserves one, and it would help so many young swimmers like me. 

"Hopefully, the Lord Mayor can help make that happen.” 

Lobanets’ run continued this month when he recorded a new personal best of 58.94 in the 100m butterfly at the Eddie Campion swimming competition.

This all forms part of Dolphin Swimming Club’s 125th anniversary celebrations. 

The local institution has been delivering on all fronts this year, with their performance at the Irish Summer Youth & Senior Championships including 29 individual national medals.

Dolphin’s haul also included four Munster Junior relay records with gold in the female 400 Free Relay and 400 Medley Relay, and gold in the male 800 Free Relay, and 400 Medley Relay.

Their success continued in the autumn with club members Rebecca and Gemma Whelan and coach Mick McCormack travelling to Germany on the Irish team for the European Deaf Swimming Championships.