Matthew Hawes

Who is Matthew Hawes?

Matthew Hawes is a male swimmer from Canada, who mostly competes in the backstroke events. He claimed a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Hawes also competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

At the 2009 World Aquatic Trials in Montreal Hawes set a new national record in the 200 metre backstroke earning him a spot on the World Championship team. After competing at the World Championships and placing 18th, he broke the longest standing men's National record in Leeds, England in the 200 metre backstroke clocking 1:52.21.

Currently, Matt Hawes has won 19 National title, and has broken 6 Canadian Records over his career. He just won his 19th National title at the 2011 World Championship trials in the 200m Backstroke, clocking 1:58.89 which positions him at 8th fastest time in the world this year.

In 2011, after a disappointing World Championship result, Hawes started training with previous assistant coach of the Texas Longhorn Mens Varsity Swim Team, Bobby Folan at the University of Sydney Australia. There he was working with Matt Jaukovich, previous 50m butterfly world record holder on the technical aspects of his main event the 200m backstroke. His coach Bobby Folan was under the tutelage of Eddie Reese in Texas, where they both coached Aaron Peirsol, Garreth Weber-Gale and Brendan Hansen to the 2008 Olympic Games.