A Look at the Rising International Stars Prepared to Make a Mark (Men’s Edition)
The countdown to the next Olympic Games is already on, the page having turned from last summer in Paris to what will unfold when Los Angeles welcomes the world in 2028. Of course, some of today’s well-known international stars are expected to maintain their presence as gold-medal contenders, such as four-time Olympic champion Leon Marchand.
At the same time, a next generation of standouts will emerge and place their mark on the sport. Already, eyes are following the likes of Turkey’s Kuzey Tuncelli and Russia’s Miron Lifintsev, current teenagers whose talent suggests worldwide success to come.
As we look to the future, here are several international male up-and-comers to watch on the road LA28.
Kuzey Tuncelli (Turkey)
An undisputed rising star on the global distance scene, Kuzey Tuncelli made noise at the Paris Games when he advanced to the final of the 1500 freestyle and placed fifth in a race that featured American Bobby Finke breaking the world record. Lost in Finke’s excellence was Tuncelli’s effort of 14:41.22, which was good for a national record and a world junior record.
The 17-year-old also finished 11th in the 800 freestyle at his first Olympics and claimed gold medals in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle at the 2023 World Junior Championships. At the senior level, he was the 2024 European champion in the 1500 freestyle and in late 2024 earned the bronze medal in the 1500 freestyle at the World Short Course Championships.
Miron Lifintsev (Russia)
Due to restrictions placed on Russian athletes because of their country’s invasion of Ukraine, Miron Lifintsev hasn’t yet had the opportunity to break out on the global stage. While he won gold medals in the 50 backstroke and 100 backstroke as a neutral athlete at last year’s World Short Course Championships, Lifintsev’s long-course emergence has been delayed – at least in major competition.
Nonetheless, the skill is obviously there, as the 19-year-old owns the world junior record in the 100 backstroke at 52.08. That performance leaves the Russian as the No. 8 performer in history, and will put him right in the mix for a podium finish at this summer’s World Championships in Singapore.
Jacob Mills (Great Britain)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: during day three of the British Swimming Championships 2025 at The London Aquatics Centre on April 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow/Getty Images)
For years, Great Britain has relied on a veteran stable of freestylers, namely Duncan Scott, Matt Richards, Tom Dean and James Guy. Now, the British arsenal has received a boost from 17-year-old Jacob Mills, whose talent in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle has made him one to watch.
At this spring’s British Championships, Mills logged a pair of runnerup finishes in the sprint-freestyle events to nail down invitations to the World Championships. In addition to clocking 21.96 in the 50 freestyle, Mills delivered a mark of 48.03 for the 100 freestyle. As the careers of some of Britain’s veterans near their latter stages, Mills is positioned to assume go-to-guy status.
A Japanese Revival
The last two editions of the Olympic Games have been a disaster for the Japanese men, evidenced by one medal each in Tokyo and Paris. However, there is reason for hope for the future, thanks to a foursome of emerging youngsters. If these athletes can continue to develop over the next few years, perhaps Japan will experience a turnaround at the 2028 Games.
In 18-year-old Tatsuya Murasa, Japan boasts an athlete who has already clocked 1:45.67 in the 200 freestyle. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Kazushi Imafuku has been 14:50.18 in the 1500 freestyle, good for a national record.
The biggest hope for Japan comes from a pair of 16-year-olds, Raito Numata and Shin Ohashi. Numata recently went 4:12.10 in the 400 individual medley, the fastest mark ever for someone 16-and-under. Numata is viewed as capable of carrying the tradition established in the 400 IM by Kosuke Hagino and Daiya Seto. As for Ohashi, he recently established a world junior record of 2:07.27 in the 200 breaststroke.