Double Olympic Medallist Arno Kamminga To Train In Hong Kong With Coach Tom Rushton
Double Olympic silver medallist Arno Kamminga is to train in Hong Kong with coach Tom Rushton as he turns his attention to LA 2028.
Kamminga won silver in the 100m and 200m breaststroke in Tokyo in 2021 and has also claimed four world medals and the same in European waters.
The Netherlands swimmer was the second man to go through the 58-sec barrier in the 100 breast when he went 57.90 at the Netherlands Team Time Trials in April 2021 before going on to post 57.80 in prelims in Tokyo. Only Adam Peaty – with his 56.88 WR – and Qin Haiyang (57.69) have gone quicker than Kamminga.
Kamminga was also the fourth man to break 2:07 over 200m when he went 2:06.85 in Rotterdam in December 2020.
The 29-year-old finished sixth in 59.32 at Paris 2024 in the 100m and then withdrew from the 200 after finishing 12th in prelims.
He took eight months away from the pool where he travelled extensively but will now make the switch to Hong Kong to be coached by Rushton, who also oversees four-time Olympic medallist Siobhan Haughey and has previously played a part with Sarah Sjöström, Mary-Sophie Harvey, Florent Manaudou and Chad le Clos.
Paying tribute to former coach Mark Faber – now the Belgian head coach – Kamminga posted to social media, saying:
“I’m excited to share an important step in my journey. A new chapter filled with hope, growth, and fresh energy. After taking time to reflect on where I am and where I want to go, I’ve decided to continue my swimming career in Hong Kong, but representing the Netherlands.
“My time in Dutch swimming has shaped me in countless ways. It’s been a journey full of lessons, some tough, many beautiful, and I will always carry those experiences with me. While not everything went the way I had hoped, I now see it as a chapter that helped me grow, not just as an athlete but as a person. It’s time for that chapter to close, and for a new one to begin.
“There are people I want to thank from the bottom of my heart. Coach Mark and physio Jan, your unwavering support, your belief in me, and your dedication to not only making me a better swimmer but a better human being. I will never forget that. It saddens me that I couldn’t continue my journey in the Netherlands with Mark. We’ve achieved so much together, and that connection will always mean a lot to me. But at the same time, I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to train and live in Hong Kong. I truly believe this is the best option for me right now. To find the stability, support, and clarity I need to swim at my best again.
“Going forward, I’ll be based in Hong Kong, representing the Netherlands, and training under the guidance of coach Tom Rushton. After taking an eight-month break from swimming, I’ll be starting up slowly, listening to my body and rebuilding step by step. Because of that I will not be participating in Singapore this summer for the upcoming world championships. But I’m determined to give it my all and get back into shape, with my eyes set firmly on the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. That passion and drive is still there, and I’m ready to work for it.
“Over the past year, I’ve also been working on something very personal: a documentary that tells the story behind this transition. It’s about figuring out who I am, what I stand for and where my boundaries are. While working on this documentary I learned a lot by looking back at what happend to me in the past months and years which let to me choosing for Hong Kong. The documentary is raw, honest, and deeply personal and will give a small inside in what the world of high level swimming is about. I hope to share more information about this amazing project later this year, since it’s not done yet.
“Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey. The support means more than I can say. I’m hopeful, I’m motivated, and I’m ready for what’s ahead.
“— Arno Kamminga”