Who is Sara Curtis: the record-breaking swimming star. Her parents, the Olympics and her future as a psychologist

Rome, 16 April 2025 - Sara Curtis doesn't stop anymore. In the days when Italian swimming discovers the rising star of the 14-year-old Alexandra Mao, the most experienced (so to speak) Piedmontese in the context of the spring absolutes of Riccione exceeds a certain point first Federica Pellegrini in the 100 freestyle (53 "01) and then even improves herself in the 50 freestyle (24 "43).

Who is Sara Curtis?

Class of 2006 born in Savigliano from an Italian father, Enzo, and mother, Nigerian, Helen, and trained by Thomas Mayer, Sara alternates the swimming pool with the study, in the middle of the countryside in that of Genola, where she is preparing for her final exams with the dream of becoming a psychologist. Breaking a record signed by Divine which lasted from 2016 means earning the honors of the limelight of Italian swimming (and not only), but the freestyle and backstroke specialist is not exactly a new name on the circuit. At youth level, the world medals are 5, while the European ones even 15, Of which 10 gold: particularly memorable is the exploit of Belgrade since 2023, with 3 times e 2 silvers brought home. The transition to the senior category takes place in that very year, on the occasion of the Europeans in short pool of Otopeniin Romania: the final loot will be 2 silvers in the relay.

The year of the exploit is the following one, preparatory to the Paris 2024 Olympics. Curtis chooses the most bombastic way to snatch the pass for the Toys: A 24 "56 in the 50 freestyle always signed to Riccione l'8 March which in one fell swoop is worth the plane ticket to the France but also the Italian record of the discipline. To be clear, the one she herself destroyed just a few hours ago with a 24 "52 to rub your eyes, to the point of being the fifth fastest in the world. The feeling with Riccione it is confirmed after a month, when the Piedmontese swims in 26 "08 the 50 backstroke in a short course: this is another national record, but also a world record for the junior category. November 16, on the occasion of the Italian winter championships, Curtis signs the new Italian record in the 50m freestyle in short course (23 "77): the prelude, after a month, to the first gold medal at senior level at the World Cup in short pool of Budapest, arrived in the 4x50 freestyle mixed relay.

The calendar is turned over and we move on to 2025 and, if possible, the 2006 class of Granata faith continues to grow, gaining access to the biggest doors World Cup di Singapore. Curiously, to get the pass she would have only needed a 53 "08, but Sara decides to do things in a big way once again, erasing the record of the woman who was and is the reference for every swimmer, not only Italian. In the 100 freestyle, halfway through the race Curtis there was already a margin of 74 cents on the old record labeled Pellegrini before surpassing herself the next day, with the new national record in the 50 freestyle. To be continued, one might say.