TRUE BLUE-EYED S'POREAN

Lukasevits hopes to swim for nation at 2025 world c’ships and 2028 Olympics

- Kimberly Kwek

At first glance, it may not be immediately apparent that Artyom Lukasevits is Singaporean with his blond hair and blue eyes.

But there is no mistaking that he is a local. Born in Singapore to Estonian parents, he grew up here, orders his favourite local dishes like ban mian and chicken rice from kopitiams in Mandarin, which he learnt in school, and is due to enlist for national service in 2025.

Lukasevits is also a swimmer who has represented Singapore internationally. Most recently, he finished fourth at the Asian Open Water Swimming Championships in Hong Kong in early November.

"I'm a true-blue Singaporean. I'm just different on the outside but, on the inside, I'm the same as everyone else," said the 20-year-old, who was speaking on Nov 29 at the sidelines of a sponsorship announcement for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

At the Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay event, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Trans-Eurokars Mazda and OCBC were unveiled as the first three national partners for the July 11-Aug 3 tournament, with a total sponsorship of $5 million.

When the world championships arrive next year, Lukasevits hopes to be among the athletes in action as he works towards his ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.