Thomas Ceccon On Fresh Start in Brisbane, Training with Dean Boxall
Giusy Cisale contributed to this report.
Dean Boxall continues expanding his already star-studded Australian training group by adding Italian talent. Following the steps of Simona Quadarella and Sara Franceschi, Italy’s reigning men’s 100-meter backstroke Olympic champion Thomas Ceccon is now part of Boxall’s squad at St. Peter’s Western in Brisbane.
Ceccon previously competed for the World Team during the Australia vs. World meet, taking on some of Australia’s top swimmers. Now, he has relocated to train under Boxall, joining the Australian program in Brisbane for an initial one to two months. Ceccon explained in a Swimming Australia release that this period marks a turning point as Australia shifts from short course to long course training, with long-course work set to begin in January. “It’s a fresh start for us,” he said. “I’m here for the weather, for training with Dean, for training differently. I’m glad to be here. I love Dean. I love training, so I’m happy to be back.”
Boxall has a track record of nurturing domestic stars such as Lani Pallister, Ariarne Titmus, and Jenna Strauch. Recently, he has welcomed prominent Italian competitors to his group as well, including Simona Quadrella and Sara Franceschi.
Quadrella, a distance freestyle specialist, aims to replicate Boxall’s success with Titmus and Pallister to further elevate her own résumé, which already features national and European titles.
Franceschi has already represented Italy on three Olympic teams and is aiming for a fourth appearance in 2028.
Since claiming Olympic gold in Paris, Ceccon has competed at several major events in 2025, including the World Championships in Singapore, all three stops of the World Cup Series, and the European Short Course Championships.
At Singapore, Ceccon’s best individual result was in the 100 back, the event in which he won Olympic gold the previous summer, where he finished second with a 51.90. He also placed third in the 50 butterfly (22.67) and eighth in the 100 fly (51.12).
During the World Cup circuit, Ceccon’s highest finishes were two second-place showings: once in Westmont for the 100 back (46.60) and the 200 back (1:48.76), and again in Toronto at the final stop with a 50 back (22.93) and a 200 back (1:47.49).
Most recently, Ceccon won the 100 back at the European Short Course Championships, clocking a lifetime-best 49.29. That time sits just a quarter of a second behind Lorenzo Mora’s 2022 national record of 49.04.
In This Story
- Ariarne Titmus
- Lani Pallister
- Lorenzo Mora
- Sara Franceschi
- Thomas Ceccon
