Newly crowned water polo world champ brings international expertise to South Africa

Just weeks after standing on the top step of the podium alongside his Spanish teammates at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, water polo icon Felipe Perrone is on his way to South Africa, bringing with him a level of experience and excellence rarely witnessed in the country.

The newly crowned world champion will be conducting two high-performance masterclass coaching clinics in Johannesburg and Cape Town this August. His visit, in collaboration with Spain’s renowned BIWPA Academy and South Africa’s Elevate Water Polo, marks a groundbreaking moment for the country’s water polo community.

Apart from his latest world title, Perrone is a five-time Olympian, having represented both Brazil and Spain on the global stage. He has won multiple world championship medals, numerous European club titles and has also been named World Aquatics Player of the Year, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s true legends.

Perrone will be joined by top BIWPA coaches, Ferran Pascual and Miquel Moyana, offering local players and coaches a rare opportunity to train with some of the sport’s most accomplished minds. The exclusive events are scheduled for 16–17 August at St John’s College in Johannesburg and 23–24 August 2025 at Reddam House Constantia in Cape Town.

These coaching clinics are designed for athletes and coaches aiming to take their game to the next level. Participants will benefit from hands-on coaching to gain insight into the technical, tactical, and mental demands of elite water polo.

In addition to the training sessions, each camp will feature a special cocktail evening and Q&A session with Perrone and Pascual. This inspiring engagement will give players, coaches, and members of the water polo community the chance to hear first-hand stories from the international stage and learn what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

“We are thrilled to bring Felipe to South Africa,” said David Ripsold, co-founder of Elevate Water Polo. “Our mission is to inspire the local community and help grow water polo into a competitive, globally connected sport in South Africa. Collaborating with BIWPA Academy makes this an unparalleled opportunity for players and coaches alike.”

The partnership between Elevate Water Polo and BIWPA Academy reflects a shared commitment to developing the sport in South Africa and building an ecosystem that supports athletes from grassroots to elite levels.