This February 6-12, Karnell was part of group of 75 swimmers from clubs up and down the country who were taking part in a week of training and competition in an offshore camp in Dubai, representing Team England.

The group of swimmers took part in three high-performance training sessions at the Hamdan Sports Complex.

They then took part in a further three days of racing at the Middle East Open and Junior Championships.

On Saturday 11th, Karnell finished 3rd behind the 100m short course WR holder llya Shymanovich in the 100m Breaststroke final, improving his personal best to 1:04.06.

The next day, in his 50m breaststroke, he set a new massive personal best of 28.36 and was nearly a second faster than everyone in his heat. He won his final later that day with a slightly slower time of 28.62.

This was Karnell’s first international swimming competition, and his first time competing for England, so he is extremely happy with the results.

Hi to all the Orion Family

Welcome to 2023 – Please check out the spring timetable listed on the website and make sure that you have all your correct session times in your diaries.

Please also check the competition schedule, which will increase as we identify upcoming meets but take special notice of the dates for Junior and Mercian Leagues in case you are selected to represent Orion.

Congratulations to our 4 swimmers who have been chosen to take part in the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay as it travels through Birmingham. Each Birmingham school was asked to nominate one pupil to carry the Baton and four of them were Orion swimmers! They were each nominated for their resilience, their contribution to school and community life and their sporting achievements.

First up on the 25th of July is Ellie Sibbald-Perkins who will carry the Baton at 16:19 from 215 High Street, Smethwick to 2 Roslyn Close.

On 27th July, Amelie Zarifeh will carry the Baton at 9:52 from 133 Selly Oak Road to 304 Selly Oak Road. At 10:06 Emily Rotherham will then carry it from 80 Ashmore Road, Cotteridge to 35 Park Avenue, Kings Norton. Finally, Sophia Okoosi-Dunn will carry the Baton at 11.18 from 124 Warwards Lane, Selly Park to 97a Warwards Lane.

We are immensely proud of these swimmers who fully deserve their selection. Why not come along and cheer them on the day?"

Congratulations to Karnell and Ellie who will be competing for Orion at the upcoming British Swimming Summer Championships. Karnell will compete in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke and Ellie in the 50m and 200m Breaststroke. The top 24 swimmers in Great Britain achieving times in the Spring qualifying window are selected to compete at these championships so it is a fantastic achievement. The next 20 qualifiers compete at their home nation championships in England, Wales or Scotland.

Congratulations also to Orion swimmers Imogen, Will, Cameron and Jacob who will be competing for the City of Birmingham Swimming Club at the Championships.

Congratulations also to Olivia who qualified for the England Summer Championships in the 100 Free. Olivia is sadly unable to compete as she will be on holiday! Orion swimmer Rachel will be competing at these Championships for the City of Birmingham.

Well done all!

Regards,

Pippa

Please follow the link below to read all about our own Karnell and his fantastic feats in the pool

https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/news/article/6342/gifted_and_talented_karnell_nunes-smith_achieves_fastest_west_midlands_swim_of_all_time