Lisa Pou has won Monaco’s first-ever medal at the World Aquatics Championships
Lisa Pou has etched her name into the records of Monegasque sports history by winning Monaco’s first-ever medal at the World Aquatics Championships, securing bronze in the women’s 10km open water race on July 16, 2025, in Singapore.
The 26-year-old swimmer’s achievement marks a historic milestone for the tiny principality, a Mediterranean coastal nation of fewer than 40,000 residents, which had never previously claimed a World Championships medal in any aquatic discipline.
Competing off the shores of Sentosa Island, Pou faced gruelling conditions, with water temperatures reaching a near-dangerous 30.8°C and strong currents testing even the most seasoned swimmers.
The race, postponed twice due to water quality concerns, demanded physical and mental resilience.
Pou, who finished just six seconds behind gold medalist Moesha Johnson of Australia and four seconds behind silver medalist Ginevra Taddeucci of Italy, held her position between the lead and chase packs to claim the podium spot.
“This means a lot to me,” Pou said.
“It wasn’t easy, especially at the start of this season, I had some trouble with my body. These girls are very inspiring, and I had to do my best to follow them,” she added.
Pou’s journey to this historic moment has been one of perseverance and transition.
Originally competing for France, where she won a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the 2018 European Championships, Pou switched her sporting nationality to Monaco in 2023 after more than a decade of training with AS Monaco Natation.
Her decision, supported by the principality’s community, reflected her deep ties to Monaco, where she has been coached by her father, Michel Pou, a former French Olympic swimmer.
“Many people in the Principality have always supported me in my career,”
“Wearing the country’s colors internationally is a return of all that they have given me”, Pou told Nice-Matin.
The bronze medal follows Pou’s earlier successes, including a ninth-place finish at the 2024 World Championships in Doha, which earned her qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she placed 18th in the 10km event despite challenging currents in the Seine.
Her performance in Singapore, however, showcased her growth as a competitor as she outlasted Spain’s Maria de Valdes and Angela Martinez Guillen, who finished 12 and 20 seconds behind her, respectively.
Pou’s achievement resonated widely, with Monaco’s sports community celebrating the milestone.
As the first Monegasque swimmer to compete at the Olympics and now the first to win medal at the World Championships, Pou’s bronze is a beacon of inspiration for Monaco’s budding athletes.
With two races remaining this season, she aims to build on this success and continue representing Monaco on the global stage.
ALL/VPO
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