LOCAL school teacher, Aron Lombardi, has made a comeback after 20 years to competitive swimming, winning three medals and two national titles in the 2025 Masters Swimming Australia National Championships at MSAC in Melbourne over the school holidays.

Lombardi won gold in both the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley in the 35-39 age group, earning national champion titles in those events.

He also claimed a silver medal in the 200m backstroke.

Lombardi said he was not expecting this outcome.

“Surprise is definitely the number one feeling,” he said.

“I haven't swum a 200m butterfly race in 21 years and didn't do any pool events in the lead up.

“It was my first event of the competition; I was just hoping to finish the race and even little things like the starting blocks have changed a lot since I last competed.

“I was really surprised to win and it really built my confidence for the other races."

Thanks to his results, Lombardi has qualified to represent Australia at the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore later this year.

Lombardi said he is unsure if he will be able to compete in Singapore.

“I would like to compete but I am also one of the coaches and Team Manager of the Team Vic Under 15 Boys football team and we play the National Championships in Queensland the entire week leading up to the World Championships so will be very tough to work out travel arrangements and get time to train properly in the weeks leading up,” he said.

“I am aiming to swim and compete at the Australian Masters Games being held in October in Canberra which should be another tough competition and really big event.”

When Lombardi hopped back in the pool at the end January, competing in events was not a consideration.

Lombardi said he realised how much he enjoyed it and entered an open water swim at Lake Burley Griffin Canberra in February, where he won the 500m event.

"Luckily, I work with Michelle Hill at Galen who has had great success in the Masters Tennis events which gave me the idea to look into Masters Swimming," he said.

"I joined the Wangaratta Masters Swimming Club and decided to give it a shot."

Lombardi said his wife and coaches at the swimming club have been amazing, supporting him to compete.

"I have a little one at home so having him come and watch the events has been amazing," he said.

"He is still a bit young as a three year old to fully understand exactly what the races are about but he has enjoyed collecting the medals and cheering on Dad before I start the races but my wife Danielle has been the real star making sure I have been able to train and keeping him entertained for the three days of competition."