Noe Ponti Chasing the Only Medal Missing from His Career Ledger
Depending on the nation one represents, the Grand Slam of medals differs from athlete to athlete. Three of the jewels are consistent – hardware from the Olympic Games and long-course and short-course versions of the World Championships. From there, athletes chase medals from a variety of major meets – European Championships (long course and short course), the Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific Championships.
For Switzerland’s Noe Ponti, a medal at this summer’s World Championships in Singapore will complete his Grand Slam. Ponti already owns podium finishes from the Olympic Games, the World Short Course Champs and both styles of the European Championships. What’s missing is a top-three finish at the long-course edition of Worlds, although Ponti will have the chance to fill that void later this month in Singapore.
Ponti is among the favorites for a medal in both the 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly in Singapore. While he is ranked fourth in 2025 in the 50 fly (22.74), he sits second in the 100 fly at 50.27. Ponti is well aware of what is missing from his portfolio.
“But in the end, what matters to me is to go home with a medal because that’s the only one I’m missing,” Ponti told journalist Andy Ross of World Aquatics. “I have European – short course, long course, World Short Course, an Olympic medal, but long course World Champs, (I’ve) never won a medal, only fourth. So I’d like to go home with a medal. It’s more about the place than the time. I’m sure I’m able to swim fast and I have some times in mind, but it’s sometimes better not to think about that.”
The Noe Ponti File (Major Medals)
Olympic Games
100 Butterfly (Bronze) – 2020
World Championships (Short Course)
200 Butterfly (Silver) – 2021
50 Butterfly (Silver) – 2022
200 Butterfly (Bronze) – 2022
50 Butterfly (Gold) – 2024
100 Butterfly (Gold) – 2024
100 Medley (Gold) – 2024
European Championships (Long Course)
100 Butterfly (Silver) – 2022
European Championships (Short Course)
50 Butterfly (Gold) – 2023
100 Butterfly (Gold) – 2023
200 Butterfly (Gold) – 2023
100 Medley (Silver) – 2023