It’s not just for girls, says first British boy to make a splash in synchronised swimming
A TEENAGER has become Britain’s first male competitive synchronised swimmer as he promised to shift perceptions that the sport is solely for girls.
Ranjuo Tomblin trained in the pool for the 50m butterfly event before he took up artistic swimming in 2017. The 15-year-old now hopes to represent Team GB in the discipline at a future Olympics.
Ranjuo was selected as one of just two boys to join the British squad last year, and became the first male to compete in an international competition.
Partnered with Rosie Rallings, 18, he placed fifth in the mixed duet technical final at the European junior championships in Malta last month.
Men first took part in international synchronised swimming events in 2015, but no British males had yet competed on the world stage.
So few males take part in the sport that mixed teams were denied a spot on the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
But it is hoped they will be allowed to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Games – when Ranjuo, who has his eyes set on a gold medal, will be 22.
The teenager from Horsham, West Sussex, said: “It feels a bit different being the only boy, but I guess it gives me that extra energy to try to get better or as good as the girls.
“It’s a bit terrifying, but hopefully we could change that. I do get people saying it’s a girl’s sport, but I don’t really get much criticism for it.
“I think once boys understand the work that’s put into it, I think they would appreciate more of the sport and hopefully get more boys into it.
“They think it’s easy and it’s not at all.”
Ranjuo’s father, Charles, 72, told how his son was introduced to synchronised swimming after a coach asked him if he wanted to join in a practice session as he swam at the opposite end of the pool.
“He looked and watched them for a minute or two and said ‘yeah, I’ll have a go’ and that’s where it started really,” he said.
Ranjuo is now coached by London 2012 Olympian Katie Chapman.
His parents and older sister said they were proud and impressed with his achievements so far.
“I mean he’s made history, literally,” his father added.