Thomas Cechini and Connor Hupman will be representing Bermuda at the Junior Aquatics World Championships this week.

The two teenagers have travelled to Otopeni, Romania, and will compete in a string of events in the next few days against some of the best swimmers in their age group in the world.

Cechini, 17, will be competing in the 400 metres freestyle on Tuesday before going on to compete in the 100, 200 and 800 freestyle in subsequent days, and he is looking forward to representing his country.

“I’m really excited to get to a competition at this level,” he said.

“I’ve been training for the whole summer and I’m pretty excited to see how I do here. I’ve been working in Bermuda with my coach, Brandon Adkins, and been training in a group with Sam Williamson, so hopefully that’s worked out well and I’ll swim well here.”

Cechini won three medals at the Carifta Games in April and is hopeful of building on those performances this week.

“I was really excited to win those medals and see those results but the goal this week is just to have great swims and execute as I’ve planned this summer,” he said.

“I’m hoping that I will be able to get some PBs. I’m most excited for the 200 freestyle as I’ve been working a lot on my pace for that, so hopefully I will have a good race there.”

Hupman is a year younger than Cechini and will be competing in the 50, 100, 200 and 400 metres freestyle. This represents the biggest stage on which he has displayed his talents and he is looking forward to competing for Bermuda.

“I’m really excited to represent the country alongside Thomas and I’m hoping we can have some nice swims,” Hupman said.

“Personally, I’m just hoping to get some personal bests and represent Bermuda well, not only as a swimmer but as a person.”

Hupman won seven medals, including two golds, at the Carifta Games in 2024 but he knows the pressure will ratchet up at this level.

“Hopefully a meet this large will not affect me too much with the pressure,” he said.

“It’s a big step from Carifta on to the world stage but hopefully it won’t affect me too much. It’s still just a swimming pool.”