Tokyo 2020: Team Ireland profiles - Brendan Hyland (Swimming)

Hyland hoping to show fighting spirit in Japan

Brendan Hyland at the Swim Ireland National Team Trials earlier this year. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho
Brendan Hyland at the Swim Ireland National Team Trials earlier this year. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Age: 26

Event: 4x200m Freestyle Relay

Club: National Centre Dublin / Tallaght Swimming Club

From Knocklyon in west Dublin, his family coming from a strong and successful boxing background. His father Paul boxed while three cousins, Paulie, Eddie and Patrick (Pajo), all turned pro. His mother, however, steered him to the pool however rather than the Hylands' Golden Cobra boxing club, and his now seven-time 100m and eight-time 200m Butterfly Irish national champion, and Irish senior record holder in the 200m IM, 100m, 200m Butterfly. He just missed out on individual qualification in the 200m Butterfly and is coached by Ben Higson

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics