In August, Western Australia’s next wave of talent represented their club, state and nation proudly on the biggest stage for age athletes at the 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships in Budapest.
Western Australia was represented by Joshua Yong (UWA West Coast, c: Michael Palfery, WAIS), Joshua Edwards-Smith (UWA West Coast, c: Michael Shaw), Alyssa Burgess (Arena, c: Simon Redmond), and Kalani Ireland (Perth City, c: Matt Magee), who were selected based on their performances at the 2019 Hancock Prospecting Australian Age Championships. The meet was a success for all swimmers, with Yong, Burgess and Ireland making their debut on the international stage.
Once again, rising superstar and Floreat local Joshua Edwards-Smith put his best foot forward whilst representing Australia. At only 16, Edwards-Smith has now represented Australia, for the past two years. Edwards-Smith had a busy six days of competition in Budapest, racing in seven events, including four individual events and three relays. Edwards-Smith finished 9th in his pet event the 200m backstroke, narrowly missing the final by 0.06. However, Edwards-Smith did experience the bright lights of finals, qualifying for the semi-final in the 100m Backstroke and swimming for Team Australia in the 4x100m Mixed and Men’s Medley relays, as well as featuring in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle relay.
Additionally, UWA West Coast had club member, Joshua Yong, also competing in Budapest. Yong who has burst onto the scene over the past 12 months continued his fine form in Budapest, taking to the water in three individual events and two relays. The highlight of the meet for the young breaststroker was qualifying for the semi-final in the 50m Breaststroke where he finished 13th in the world in a personal best time of 28.61 seconds. Yong joined forces with fellow Western Australian, Edwards-Smith in the Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay and the Men’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay to finish 4th and 5th respectively. With under 12 months until the 2020 Olympic Games Trials, it is a very exciting time for Yong as he prepares to take on the likes of former World Record holder, Matthew Wilson for a spot on the Australian Olympic Team.
Fellow debutant, Alyssa Burgess swam a strong race in the Women’s 200m Backstroke. Touching the wall in a time of 2:15.86, the third fastest time of her career, Burgess swam valiantly, turning through the 100m mark in 1:06.02. The meet was a great learning experience for the young Arena member, after dropping an incredible 8 seconds off her PB last season. Burgess will be eyeing off the likes of Kaylee Mckeown, Minna Atherton and a plethora of talented Australian backstrokers as she gets ready for the #roadtotokyo.
Perth City’s speedster, Kalani Ireland, was in fine form whilst competing in Budapest, qualifying for the semi-final in the 100m Backstroke (55.90) and the 50m Freestyle (23.26). Ireland also had the opportunity to represent the green and gold in the final of the Mixed 4 x 100m Freestyle where Australia placed 5th and in the heat of the Men’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay.
Overall the Australian Junior Dolphins had a successful showing, finishing third on the medal tally behind team USA and Russia with four gold, five silver and four bronze medals. There were some incredible performances, especially from Queensland swimmers Lani Pallister and Thomas Neill, with Pallister earning the Female Swimmer of the Meet. This meet proving once again, Australia is in very good hands leading into Tokyo 2020 and beyond.
For more information on the Australian Junior Dolphins competing in Budapest, click here.
Western Australian Meet Summary
Joshua Yong
- 50 Breast – 13th– 28.61
- 100 Breast – 17th– 1:02.67
- 200 Breast – 16th– 2:16.09
- Men’s 4 x 100 Medley Relay – 5th
- Mixed 4 x 100 Medley Relay – 4th
Joshua Edwards-Smith
- 50 Back – 26th– 26.35
- 100 Back – 13th– 55.37
- 200 Back – 9th– 2:00.32
- 100 Free – 27th– 51.19
- Men’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay – 6th
- Men’s 4 x 100 Medley Relay – 5th
- Mixed 4 x 100 Medley Relay – 4th
Alyssa Burgess
- 200 Back - 14th– 2:15.86
Kalani Ireland
- 100 Back – 16th– 55.90
- 50 Free -16th– 23.26
- 200 IM – 19th– 2:04.66
- Men’s 4 x 100 Medley Relay – 5th (Heat Swimmer)
- Mixed 4 x 100 Freestyle Relay – 5th
