Kyle Chalmers’ stunning tattoo admission: ‘I regret them all’

Olympic gold medallist Kyle Chalmers is as known for his ink as he is for his speed in the pool. But the swimming icon said if he had his time again he’d be a cleanskin. Here’s why.

If he had his time again, Kyle Chalmers would prefer to be a cleanskin.

Inked across his body, from his shoulders to his chest and all over his legs, the Olympic gold medallist says he wishes he never started with his first tattoo.

“I regret them all,” Chalmers, 25, told The Daily Telegraph.

Champion Australian swimmer Kyle Chalmers in Sydney for Wahl. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“If I had my time again, I would probably have none but now I am so deep into it that it is just an addiction. I look back at photos of me in 2016 and it would be interesting to know what it would be like if I didn’t have any tattoos but most of them are very meaningful and I do love them. It tells my story, it is my journal.”

While his chest, arms and shoulders are more curated, Chalmers has a number of what he describes as “rogue” pieces on his legs.

King Kyle celebrates after winning gold in the Men's 100m Freestyle Final at the World Aquatics Championships in Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

“I’ve got Snoop Dogg, Freddie Mercury, my brothers birth year, the postcode for Port Lincoln,” he said.

“I’ve got cherubs on each leg. My most recent is the Port Lincoln Tuna I’ve got on my leg. They all mean something to me to an extent.”

The world champion swimmer spent Thursday in Sydney as ambassador for Wahl, featuring in his second campaign for the brand.

In it, he dresses as various characters, including a moustached Frenchman, Elvis, and an 80s boy band member.

Kyle Chalmers tattoos include Snoop Dogg and Freddie Mercury. Picture: Supplied

Kyle Chalmers tattoos include Snoop Dogg, Freddie Mercury and a Port Lincoln Tuna. Picture: Supplied

Manscaping, he explained, was a ritual before competing in the pool and more generally, he feels better with minimal hair on his body.

“As much as it has got physical benefits, there is also the mental side of things that helps,” he said.

“Before I race I pretty much shave every single hair off my body so that I am as aero dynamic when I go through the pool as possible.”

Kyle Chalmers dresses up as various characters for new WAHL campaign.

Kyle Chalmers dressed up for the WAHL campaign.

He is currently training for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“I am really looking forward to it being an Olympic year again and hopefully having my chance to race again in Paris,” he said.

“At the moment I am training as hard as I possibly can to get myself in the best physical condition going into Paris.”