BY: Shayla Brown
Published 2 months ago
“Canada’s Drag Race” fans know Gia Metric for her bold fashion, sharp wit, and memorable performances. But now, the drag queen — known out of drag as Giorgio Triberio — is making headlines for a whole new reason: becoming a silver medalist at the World Aquatics Masters Championship in Singapore.
From the Runway to the Pool
In the men’s solo free artistic swimming event at the World Aquatics Masters Championship in Singapore, they stunned audiences with a powerful routine and secured the silver medal. The victory is even more impressive because Triberio only began artistic swimming less than a year ago. Before this, Triberio’s athletic background included a decorated run in volleyball during high school, but they hadn’t competed in organized sports for more than a decade.
Triberio’s leap into the pool happened almost by chance. Last year, a coach encouraged them to try synchronized swimming — now called artistic swimming — and they decided to give it a shot. The decision changed everything. In April 2025, they entered the Canadian provincials and shocked the field by winning gold in their division. That breakout performance earned Triberio a ticket to the international stage, where they proved to be more than just a drag queen but a serious athlete.
A Moment of Pride and Surprise
After scoring a second-place finish, Triberio took a moment to explain his sentiments. “It was an incredible feeling,” they told Outsports. “Coming into Singapore, there was so much potential in this being a ‘one and done’ for me. Now I’m looking at the Gay Games in Valencia next year, and there’s potential to achieve a lot of things. It’s definitely something I’ll be sticking to.”
The performance proved Triberio’s skill and showcased their self-confidence. Triberio, who identifies as gender-fluid, uses they/them pronouns out of drag. In the interview with OutSports, they explained that artistic swimming allows them to embrace masculinity and flamboyance simultaneously without restriction. For them, the pool became a stage where power and elegance could coexist in perfect harmony.
Breaking Barriers in Artistic Swimming
Women have historically dominated artistic swimming. In fact, men were only permitted to compete at the international level beginning in 2015. That context makes Triberio’s appearance — and success — especially meaningful. This silver medal is part of a broader wave of representation that is slowly reshaping the sport.
Triberio’s presence in Singapore sent a clear message — talent, artistry, and athleticism know no gender boundaries. Fans from around the world flooded Reddit and Instagram with messages of support, praising the athlete’s fearlessness and rapid rise. Many noted that Triberio’s performance symbolized progress not just for queer athletes, but for folx everywhere who dream of pursuing artistic swimming at a high level.
From Drag Stage to World Stage
For longtime “Canada’s Drag Race” fans, many recall Metric’s show of charisma, fashion, and artistry on an entirely different kind of stage throughout Season 2. Her shift into athletic competition might seem surprising, but the two worlds are not so far apart. Both drag and artistic swimming demand creativity, discipline, and a willingness to perform under pressure. Metric’s ability to sashay one moment and soar through the water the next speaks to her adaptability and determination.
Fans celebrated the win online, with Reddit and Instagram communities praising Triberio’s fearlessness and rapid rise in the sport. And with next year’s Gay Games on the horizon, speculation is already building about whether we’ll see them bring more hardware home.
What’s next for Gia Metric?
Triberio has no plans to slow down. Fresh off the victory, they shares that the medal motivates them to keep training and competing at the highest level. For fans who watched Metric sashay and slay on “Canada’s Drag Race,” it’s a new chapter in a career defined by reinvention and resilience.
What do you think about Metric’s surprising leap from drag star to silver medalist? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
