Ranjuo Tomblin, an artistic swimmer and sporting scholar at the University of Bath, emerged as a four-time continental champion at the Paris 2026 European Aquatics Championships. His remarkable achievements continued to showcase his dominance in the sport.
Joined by fellow University of Bath alumna Kate Shortman, who earned a bronze medal on her home return to the Olympic Aquatics Centre in Saint-Denis, the event was memorable for both athletes. Shortman made history for Team GB at Paris 2024 and added to her medal collection with this latest success.
Tomblin, a Sports Performance student benefiting from a Trendell Sporting Scholarship, entered the championships with considerable momentum, having previously amassed 17 medals-12 of them gold-during the 2026 Artistic Swimming World Cup.
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He reaffirmed his supremacy by winning gold in both of the Men’s Solo events, achieving scores of 249.3951 to retain his Technical title and 258.9188 in the Free final.
Teaming up with Izzy Thorpe, Tomblin made history once more by claiming Great Britain’s first European title in the Mixed Duet Free category with a score of 258.2383. This narrow victory edged out Spain, who had been aiming for their fourth consecutive title, by a mere 0.2650 points.
The partnership proved equally successful in the Mixed Duet Technical event, where their winning score of 229.6783 secured gold and marked a celebratory farewell to their collaboration ahead of future events on the LA 2028 Olympic Games programme.
Reflecting on their partnership, Tomblin expressed his gratitude:
“I am really grateful to have this opportunity and to swim with Izzy, she’s the best duet partner ever. It’s been an amazing experience swimming with Izzy. When I first partnered with her I just didn’t want to disappoint her but now we have this amazing partnership and it has just been the best time.”
Meanwhile, Kate Shortman, who graduated this summer with a degree in International Management and Modern Languages (French) and is a Bill Whiteley Sporting Scholar, returned to competitive action after a two-year focus on her studies and a placement year in Paris. Competing alongside Thorpe for only the third time since winning Olympic silver two years prior, the duo secured bronze in the Duet Technical event with an impressive score of 297.9108.
Robyn Swatman, another recent Sports Performance graduate, partnered with Eve Young in the Duet Free event, finishing in 10th place with a score of 245.0216.