The Belfast Boy Wonder
Looking back, like many people impacted by the pandemic, early 2020 was a tumultuous period for Funky Trunks F-Teamer Conor Ferguson. After suffering with glandular fever and attempting to regain his strength, Ferguson narrowly missed qualifying for Ireland’s Tokyo Olympic team.
To come so close, left the 24-year-old falling out of love with swimming and questioning his future in the sport. However, it was at this low point, that Ferguson pivoted his mindset and took the major decision to move across the Irish Sea to join Loughborough’s world-renowned program in England.
“When I arrived at Loughborough, I was broken in terms of a swimmer and a person. To rebuild, I wanted to put myself in a performance program that has historically proven success.
“I knew early on that it was going to be the place for me for the next two years for Paris. I based that off the connection I had with Ian Hulme (coach) but also the support that was around the place.”
Ferguson’s decision to move has seemingly paid off with the Belfast-born athlete in career-best form, hitting a personal best of 53.90 in the 100m backstroke at the World Championships in Doha, just shy of the Olympic qualifying time.
The 2017 World Junior silver medallist however believes all praise should go to those that have helped him on his journey not just in Loughborough but in Ireland too.
“All credit must go to the support staff around me, my coach and everyone at Loughborough because without them honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am without them today.
“Of course, everyone also behind the scenes my family and girlfriend. My girlfriend moved over with me to Loughborough, so it wasn’t even just a commitment with me it was a commitment for her too,” he added.
“I wasn’t even doing it for myself anymore, a lot of people were sacrificing things to help me get across the line.”
Although Ferguson is yet to qualify for the backstroke, he and the rest of his Irish teammates have qualified for Paris in the 4x100m Men’s Medley Relay.
Along with Darragh Greene, Max McCusker, and Shane Ryan, Ferguson is likely to be top pick for the Paris Games as he and the team were part of the first ever Irish team to make a World Long Course Relay final at the World Championships. The team finished 8th in the final and are now 15th in the rankings for Paris.
He revealed how much it meant to him and the Irish team.
“We’ve been looking at that relay for a year and we knew there was going to be a big opportunity there,” said Ferguson.
“That’s why I pulled out of the 50m (backstroke) to focus on the relay because I knew it was going to be tight to make the spot with four or five teams all around the same time.
“We’re good mates behind the scenes so to do it with the three lads was incredible and then to make the final was a bonus on top.”
This latest success comes amidst a resurgence in Irish swimming with Daniel Wiffen recently becoming the first Irish swimmer to win two golds (800m and 1500m freestyle) in a World Championship and Mona McSharry narrowly missing out on the 100m women’s breaststroke Olympic qualifying time in Doha.
Ferguson however is not surprised by this wave of Irish talent having seen it come through as a youngster.
“I think it was always coming. Mona and I grew up together, we both went to Worlds at junior level and the success with her and other members of the team you could see was growing.
“We were getting medals at World Juniors and European Juniors and I think that generation was always going to come.
“Not only that but we’re in good environments, good programs. Once one person does well it’s a competitive environment and everyone wants to be doing well and I suppose we’re all pushing each other on.”
Ferguson’s focus will be preparing for the 100m backstroke at the Irish Open Championships set to take place 22-26 May which will be his last shot to qualify for the individual swim in Paris. He also plans to continue to build his speed with the 50m backstroke.
“If it did become an Olympic event, I would love to be able to see what I’m capable of doing in that,” said Ferguson.
“The time (24.71) I did at BUCS a week after Worlds would’ve made finals.”
There is no doubt, Ferguson will be putting in the hard yards over the next month in preparation for Irish Opens and he has the brand new range of Funky Trunks to help him through the big sessions ahead.
“I’m a big fan of the new range of briefs (Conor is a briefs man) and the beach wear collection is great for the off-season holidays, but I’m not thinking of that right now.”
