NEW COMMIT: 2020 Tokyo Olympian Nikolas Antoniou of Limassol, Cyprus, has verbally committed to the University of California, Berkeley beginning in the fall of 2023.
He will join Keaton Jones as a member of the Golden Bears’ Class of 2027.
His older sister, Kalia Antoniou, is currently a senior at Alabama where she won gold as a member of the Crimson Tide’s 4×100 free relay at 2021 NCAAs.
He told Swimming World:
“I’m honored to announce my verbal commitment to continue my swimming and academic career at the University of California Berkeley. I’m so thankful for my family, friends and coaches for supporting me along the way. I also would like to thank Coaches Dave Durden and Chase Kreitler for the opportunity that was given to me to represent Cal in the following years. Go bears”
Antoniou a 17-year-old sprint freestyler who competed in the 50m and 100m free at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for Cyprus. He finished fourth in the 50m free at the European Junior Championships this past summer as well and raced three events at the LEN European Championships in May.
He trains with Limassol Nautical Club and is coached by former All-American sprinter at Alabama Stavros Michaelides.
In LCM, his best times include:
- 50m free – 22.81
- 100m free – 49.99
- 200m free – 1:52.28
- 50m fly – 25.30
- 50m back – 27.60
In SCY, those times convert to:
- 50 free – 19.84
- 100 free – 43.64
- 200 free – 1:38.33
- 50 fly – 22.13
- 50 back – 23.51
Antoniou will be a major asset to the Golden Bears’ lineup both individually and on relays as he would’ve ranked No. 4 in the 50 free a season ago with his best time (converted to yards).
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
