Day one of the 2021 Australian Swimming Trials saw our Western Australian Athletes take to the pool for an exciting night of racing. In what has been a highly anticipated week, the 6-day competition acts as the premier selection event for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Right off the bat was Brianna Throssell (UWA West Coast) in the Women’s 100m Butterfly, finishing in second place and touching the wall in a time of 57.11, narrowly missing the Olympic qualifying time. An enormous effort in a field led by Emma McKeon, who won in a new Australian Record of 55.93. Holly Barratt (Rockingham) and Kate Harrison (Westside Christchurch) raced in the B Final of the same event, touching the wall in 59.88 and 1:00.31 respectively.
Kieren Pollard (North Coast) fought a tough battle in the Men’s 400m Individual Medley. Finishing in a time of 4:15.68, a huge personal best for Pollard and enough to secure third place. Brendon Smith touched first in a new Australian Record of 4:10.04.
The Multi-Class Men’s 400m Freestyle saw Alex Saffy (Bunbury) in fifth and Ben Popham (Arena) in sixth, both dropping significant time from their heat swims this morning. Popham also secured a Paralympic qualifying time, which puts him in good stead for selection in the team for Tokyo.
In the Men's 100m Breaststroke, Joshua Yong (UWA West Coast) touched the wall in a time of 1:00.90, which was enough to secure sixth place. Yong's UWA West Coast teammate, Alex Milligan, raced in the B Final, finishing in a time of 1:02.32.
Australian Swim Team veteran, Blair Evans (UWA West Coast), finished fourth in the Women’s 400m Individual Medley. In her self-proclaimed final Olympic Trials, she stopped the clock in a time of 4:46.92, a stellar effort in a strong field.
In the final race of the night, Adam Sudlow (UWA West Coast) finished up in seventh place in the Men’s 400m Freestyle in a time of 3:55.19. Arguably the most competitive event of the night, with the top five place-getters swimming under the Olympic qualifying time and Elijah Winnington taking the win in a swift 3:42.65.
Stay tuned for the latest news from the 2021 Australian Swimming Trials as we bring all the action over the coming days from Adelaide.
