‘Ariarne Titmus Highlights Unique Trait That Makes Coach Dean Boxall Stand Out Among Rivals’

There’s no denying that Dean Boxall stands out as one of the premier coaches in the swimming arena, and the secret to his athletes’ achievements is beginning to unfold.

All eyes were on Boxall during the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, as his exuberant celebrations for his athletes’ victories and world record-breaking performances captured the public’s attention and quickly went viral.

His fervent support was once again front and centre in Paris last year, further solidifying his position as one of Australia’s most esteemed coaches.

Out of the 44 athletes selected to represent Australia, 10 hailed from Boxall’s St Peters Western programme, playing a significant role in securing medals for the nation.

In total, Australian swimmers brought home seven gold medals from Paris, with four achieved by Boxall’s squad. Notably, 12 of the 18 podium finishes by members of the Australian Dolphins were attributed to athletes under Boxall’s guidance.

While many professional coaches have likely completed formal training, Ariarne Titmus, one of Boxall’s key athletes, revealed that her iconic coach is completely “self-taught.”

“The remarkable thing about Dean is that he hasn’t relied on coaching manuals or textbooks, nor has he attended any coaching courses,” Titmus shared in an interview with SEN on Friday.

“He’s entirely self-taught, relying on his intuition, and that’s what I admire most about him.

“Dean has a diverse approach. He is unapologetically himself, yet he is also an absolute master of his craft.

“I’ve never encountered someone so adept in their skill set.

“He possesses an incredible ability to understand how to coach individuals based on their personalities, and I believe that is something people don’t appreciate enough about Dean.

“People often focus on his bold personality and passion for the sport, which certainly contributes to his effectiveness.”

Boxall’s impressive track record in Paris drew the attention of French sensation Leon Marchand, hailed as the next Michael Phelps, alongside Italy’s Thomas Ceccon.

Both athletes, who won gold medals at last year’s Olympic Games, have made the decision to travel to Australia to work with Boxall for a three-month period in early 2025.

However, the success of athletes like Titmus, Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, and Elijah Winnington cannot be solely attributed to Boxall’s training methods.

“I believe our success stems from the trust we’ve established with each other,” Titmus explained.

“We essentially made a commitment that I would execute his programme to the best of my ability, as I believe it’s the finest programme globally. Once you agree to that, maintaining the highest standards is paramount.

“There are indeed days when I’m pushed to my absolute limits, but it’s the trust that makes it manageable. I have confidence that he’s doing everything possible to bring out the best in me during those tough sessions.”

“He has the utmost belief in my capabilities, more than anyone else in the world, and I’m incredibly grateful for our partnership.

Titmus added, “His knack for understanding athletes’ personalities is quite extraordinary.

“Each athlete is unique and requires a tailored approach to coaching. The way he coaches me is distinctly different from how he leads other members of the squad.

“I genuinely believe he’s the best swimming coach in the world.

“Without a doubt, I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today without him.”