Draft:Neil Agius
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| Submission declined on 11 June 2025 by Theroadislong (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia. Declined by Theroadislong 35 hours ago. | |
Comment: Most of the sources lead to 404 errors or to pages that are entirely unrelated to this individual MCE89 (talk) 09:28, 12 June 2025 (UTC)
Neil Agius (born 6 June 1987) is a Maltese ultra-endurance swimmer, environmental activist, and former Olympic athlete. He holds two world records in unassisted, current-neutral open water swimming and is the co-founder of the marine conservation initiative Wave of Change Malta. Agius uses his swimming feats and public engagement to promote ocean conservation and mental resilience.
Early life and Olympic career
[edit]Agius was born in Malta on 6 June 1987. He began competitive swimming at a young age and represented Malta at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, competing in the men's 400-metre freestyle event.[1][2]
Endurance swimming records
[edit]Agius has set two world-record swims under the Marathon Swimmers Federation rules for unassisted, current-neutral, open water crossings:
- In June 2021, he swam 125.7 km from Linosa, Italy, to Gozo in 52 hours and 7 minutes, setting a world record at the time.[3]
- In September 2024, he swam 142.3 km around Malta, Gozo, and Comino in 60 hours and 35 minutes, setting a new world record.[4]
Both swims were completed without a wetsuit, without sleep, and without physical contact with support vessels.
Ocean Mindset framework
[edit]In 2023, Agius attempted to swim from Mallorca to Ibiza but was forced to stop due to jellyfish stings.[5] Inspired by the mental challenges of that event, he developed the "Ocean Mindset" framework, which combines breathwork, cold-water immersion, movement, and team-based strategy. The methodology is used in workshops, corporate team-building, and public speaking engagements.
Environmental activism
[edit]Agius is the founder of Wave of Change Malta, a non-profit focused on marine conservation and awareness around plastic pollution. His long-distance swims support beach cleanup initiatives and ocean advocacy.[6]
Awards and recognition
[edit]- Guinness World Record – Longest unassisted ocean swim (2024)[7]
- World Open Water Swimming Association – Performance of the Year (2024)[8]
- World Open Water Swimming Association – Man of the Year (2024)[9]
- Times of Malta Person of the Year (2024)[10]
- Commonwealth Point of Light Award by Queen Elizabeth II (2020)[11]
Personal life
[edit]Agius lives in Malta, where he continues to train and prepare for future ultra-endurance swims.
References
[edit]- ^ "Neil Agius – Olympedia". Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Neil Agius". Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Neil Agius completes world record swim". Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Neil Agius officially breaks world record with 142km swim". Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Neil Agius pulls out of Ibiza swim after 60 jellyfish stings". 27 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Wave of Change Malta". Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Guinness World Record for Neil Agius". Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "WOWSA Performance of the Year". Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Neil Agius – WOWSA Award". Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Neil Agius is Times of Malta Person of the Year". Times of Malta. 31 December 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Environmental campaigner Neil Agius presented with Commonwealth Points of Light award". Who's Who Malta. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2025.