Announcement of the NZ team for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships and 2023 World Para Swimming Championships
We are excited to announce our Aquablacks squads for the upcoming 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka and 2023 World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester. The teams are inundated with World, Paralympic and Commonwealth Champions, with the NZ teams amongst the strongest to head overseas.
The World Para Swimming Championships team is spearheaded by multiple Paralympic Gold Medallists Dame Sophie Pascoe (QEII, Aquablack #244) and Cameron Leslie (Whangarei, Aquablack #272).
Across the squad of seven athletes, they will be competing in 16 individual events and will also enter the 4 x 100m Mixed Medley Relay (34 point) and 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay.
The team who raced in Madeira last year ended with 5 individual medals, a World record, two Oceania records and fourteen New Zealand records (age, open and relay).
Swimming NZ's Paralympic Programme Lead, Simon Mayne, is really excited with the team selected.
“It's great to have everyone together at NZ Champs for the first time in many years and to see everyone racing fast to achieve selection. I’m looking forward to seeing the swimmers race in Manchester in not only their individual events but also racing in some competitive relays in August.”
Meanwhile, a strong team of sixteen swimmers has been selected for the 2023 World Aquatics Championship after one of the fastest trials held in New Zealand.
Eleven athletes have achieved World Aquatic 'A' cuts over 15 swims at the Apollo Projects New Zealand Championships with Erika Fairweather the headline act after her 400m Freestyle swim placing her as the 6th fastest women of all time.
The team welcomes four debutant Aquablacks after strong performances across the 2023 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships. 15-year-old Monique Wieruszowski (Aquabladz NP) lit up the pool on the final night to qualify in the 50m Breaststroke in a NZ record time. Luan Grobbelaar (Neptune & Swim Dunedin) qualified in the opening race of the championships in the 400m Individual Medley. Summer Osborne (North Shore) has been selected in the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay and Josh Gilbert (Club 37) in the 4 x 100m Medley Relay.
Swimming NZ's Olympic Programme Lead, Gary Francis, is thrilled with the team selected.
"The performances over the past week have been really exciting for the upcoming World Champs. Now it's time to keep our heads down and prepare for Fukuoka in July."
The 2023 World Aquatics Championships are being held from 23 - 29 July in Fukuoka, Japan.
Congratulations to our swimmers, coaches, support staff and officials representing our country internationally this year.
World Para Swimming Championships Team
Sophie Pascoe (#244) QEII Swim Club
· 50m, 100m Freestyle
· 4x 100m Mixed Medley Relay
· 4x 100m Mixed Freestyle Relay
Tupou Neiufi (#261) Pukekohe Swim Club
· 100m Backstroke
· 50m, 100m Freestyle
· 4x 100m Mixed Medley Relay
Jesse Reynolds (#262) Hamilton Aquatics
· 100m Backstroke
· 4x 100m Mixed Medley Relay
· 4x 100m Mixed Freestyle Relay Squad
Cameron Leslie (#272) Whangarei
· 50m, 100m, 200m Freestyle
· 50m Backstroke
· 4x 100m Mixed Freestyle Relay Squad
Lili-Fox Mason (#273) Wharenui
· 100m Butterfly
· 400m Freestyle
· 4x 100m Mixed Freestyle Relay Squad
Gabriella Smith (#274) Vikings
· 400m Freestyle
· 100m Breaststroke
· 200m Individual Medley
· 4x 100m Mixed Freestyle Relay Squad
Joshua Willmer (#275) Pukekohe
· 100m Breaststroke
· 4x 100m Mixed Medley Relay
Team Leader: Simon Mayne - Swimming New Zealand
Team Coach: Tom Onley - Whangarei
Team Coach: Sheldon Kemp - Pukekohe
Team Coach: Brett Naylor - Aquagym
Team Physio: Graeme White
Team Analyst: Elliot Sneddon
Team Manager: Holly Fletcher
Technical Official: Carlrine Gillespie - Northland
2023 World Aquatics Championships Team
Lewis Clareburt (#257) Capital Swim Club
· 200, 400 IM
· 4x100 Medley Relay
Chelsey Edwards (#265) Coast Swim Club
· 4x100 Mixed Free Relay
Erika Fairweather (#266) Neptune Swim Club
· 200, 400, 800 Freestyle
· 4x200 Free Relay
· 4x100 Mixed Free Relay
Michael Pickett (#268) Club 37
· 50 Freestyle
Zac Reid (#269) Neptune Swim Club
· 400 Freestyle
Eve Thomas (#270) Coast Swim Club
· 400, 800, 1500 Freestyle
· 4x200 Free Relay
Caitlin Deans (#276) Neptune Swim Club
· 1500 Freestyle
· 4x200 Free Relay
Cameron Gray (#277) Coast Swim Club
· 50 Butterfly
· 4x100 Medley Relay
· 4x100 Mixed Free Relay
Andrew Jeffcoat (#279) Club 37
· 50m, 100m, 200m Backstroke
· 4x100 Medley Relay
Carter Swift (#282) Club 37
· 4x100 Mixed Free Relay
Hazel Ouwehand (#283) Phoenix Aquatics
· 50m Butterfly
Joshua Gilbert - Club 37
· 4x100 Medley Relay
Luan Grobbelaar - Neptune
· 400m Individual Medley
Summer Osborne - North Shore
· 4x200 Free Relay
Monique Wieruszowski - Aquabladz New Plymouth
· 50m Breaststroke
Team Leader: Gary Francis - Swimming New Zealand
Team Coach: Lars Humer - Swim Dunedin
Team Coach: Gary Hollywood - Capital
Team Coach: Mitch Nairn - Club 37
Team Coach: Michael Weston - Coast Swim Club
Team Physio: Megan Munro
Team Analyst: Matt Ingram
Team Manager: Graeme Maw
Technical Official: Christine Cassin - Canterbury West Coast
Technical Official: Celia Honiss - Northland
