Max Ups The Ante

There must be something in the pool water in Tasmania, apart from chlorine, as yet another Taswegian, Funky Trunks athlete Max Giuliani is gearing up for a big few months of racing, which could see him qualify for his first Olympics.

20-year-old Giuliani has been a rising star in Australian swimming but it wasn’t until his swim at the Queensland State Titles in December 2023 that he really hit the headlines. Leading off his club Miami’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay team, Max swam 1:44.79, the second fastest time by an Australian in history behind Ian Thorpe’s former world record of 1:44.06, which he swam at the 2001 World Championships. It topped off an incredible year for Max, having returned from the US claiming the 100m and 200m freestyle double at the US Pro Series in California. His times of 48.21 and 1:46.23 had smashed his PBs which for the 200m free meant he had dropped 6 seconds off his best time in just 18 months.

In 2022, Giuliani moved north from his home club of Hobart Aquatic following his coach Paul Croswell to join the Rackley team at Miami in Queensland. It was a move which was make-or-break for Giuliani, which he calls the ‘final crack’ to make it big on the world swimming stage.

Coached by Miami Head Coach Richard Scarce, Giuliani took the disappointment of his performance at the 2023 World Championship Trials to race in Europe and the US. It gave him valuable top-class race practise and as he went around the circuit his times steadily improved.

Giuliani has been a Funky Trunks sponsored athlete since 2018 having worn Funky Trunks for years as he progressed through the age-group ranks. He now races in the APEX Predator X and Blade Swimmer Goggles.

We can’t wait to see Max suit up for Nationals and Trials and you can follow Max @max__giuliani