Water Polo Canada Men's U16 National Team takes 26th place at the 2024 World Aquatics Men's U16 Championships

Ottawa, June 25, 2024 - The Water Polo Canada Men’s U16 National Team took the 26th position at the 2024 World Aquatics Men’s U16 Championships held June 18-24 in Malta.

The Canadian team started off the tournament with three losses in the group phase, by the scores of 12-6 against Australia, 12-7 against Turkey, and 9-6 against Croatia.

In their game against South Africa for the 17th- to 32nd-place classification, Canada lost 15-11. Then, in the game for the 25th- to 32nd-place classification, the Canadian team recorded a 25-9 victory against Mexico, followed by a 14-8 win against Kazakhstan. Darion Wang and Ivan Khramtsov were respectively named Player of the game in those two last games.

Canada then finished the tournament in 26th position following a 8-7 loss against New Zealand.

“By almost every measure, Canada's first participation in the U16 World Championships was successful beyond all expectations,” said the Head Coach for the Water Polo Canada Men’s U16 National Team, Andras Szeri. “The athletes have gained invaluable experience but also fully understand what they have to improve on and how much work it will take to make the necessary improvements. Our results for some of the games speak for themselves. The 9-6 loss to powerhouse Croatia was our most memorable game. The entire event was an incredible learning opportunity, and the team took full advantage of it. We are excited about the future for this amazing group of young athletes.”

“Overall, I think it was a great experience for the entire team,” said Water Polo Canada U16 Men’s National Team captain Ivan Khramtsov. “It really opened our eyes to what elite water polo is about, and what we need to continue to work on.”

Held every two years, the World Aquatics Men’s U16 Championships showcased athletes who are 16 years old and younger (i.e. born in 2008 or later).

Lyle Brooks also attended the 2024 World Aquatics Men’s U16 Championships as a referee.

More details are available at https://www.waterpolo.ca/content/world-aquatics-mens-u16-championships.

Canadian Teams at the 2024 World Aquatics Men’s U16 Championships
-ALMASI, Daniel (Etobicoke, ON-Mavericks Water Polo Club)
-GRIFFIOEN, Elliot (Langley, B.C.-Fraser Valley Water Polo Club)
-GURIEV, Oleksandr (Langley, B.C.-Fraser Valley Water Polo)
-KARHARMANLIEV, Julian (Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC-DDO Water Polo)
-KHRAMTSOV, Ivan (Mississauga, ON-Mavericks Water Polo Club, ON)
-LOO, Noah (Thousand Oacks, California)
-MILLS, Harris (Stony Plain, AB-Edmonton Water Polo Club)
-MLADENOVIC, Pavle Aleksandar (Langley, B.C.-Pacific Storm Water Polo)
-NEDANOVSKI, Luka (Toronto, ON-Shadow Water Polo Club)
-PORTER, Nash (Langley, B.C.-Fraser Valley Water Polo)
-RAIS, Oliver (Kirkland, QC-DDO Water Polo)
-RASHED, Adam (Delta, B.C.-Fraser Valley Water Polo)
-SALEM, Rami Salem (North York, ON- Shadow Water Polo Club)
-SEVERSON, Markian (Calgary, AB-Calgary Torpedoes, AB)
-WANG, Darion (California)

Support Staff:
Head Coach: Andras Szeri
Assistant Coach: Gyula Toth
Team Leader: Zoltan Csepregi
Team Therapist: Greg Bolger