top of page

Gladwin & Chen Break NZ Records to Medal Again

Day Four Wrap of the 2025 World Virtus Swimming Championships


ree

The New Zealand team continued to shine on day four of racing in Bangkok. Chloe Gladwin (Whakatane) had another impressive swim at the 2025 World Virtus Swimming Championships in Thailand. The youngster produced a massive personal best and SM19 New Zealand in the women’s 400m individual medley II3 timed final to win a silver medal and the youth gold. Ian Chen (St Paul’s) also continued his medal-winning ways with a bronze in the men’s II3 event. James Haydon (Club 37) got his first medal of the championships with a youth gold and Quinn Pike (Hamilton Aquatics) added a youth bronze to her kit bag this week.


Chloe Gladwin swam from lane three of the gruelling 400m individual medley timed final. She made a good start to be in third at the first turn and turn together with second at the end of the butterfly (1:19.06 split). Gladwin used the backstroke leg to claim outright second and extend the gap to be a few body lengths clear of third at halfway (1:27.25 split). Gladwin maintained her gap during the breaststroke leg (1:43.15 split) before she enhanced her lead by finishing strong in the freestyle leg to touch second (1:13.63 split). Kate Wallington (Australia – 5:24.29) was a class above once again to win the gold medal in an II3 World Record, bettering the previous mark by more than 30 seconds. Gladwin (5:43.09) won the silver medal overall with the bronze awarded to Eleonora Esposito (Italy – 5:59.17) after Maria Rasmussen (Denmark), who touched third, was unfortunately disqualified. Gladwin also took home the youth gold medal.


Gladwin achieved a massive personal best by more six seconds to break the SM19 New Zealand record in the timed final. She was thrilled with her result and silver medal as she analysed her performance after the race.

“It feels exceptional. I kept my breathing really controlled for most of the butterfly which set me up well for the rest of the race, and hit my freestyle really well to finish strong.”

Gladwin was quick to identify where she will aim to improve in her next swim of this event.

“I probably left some speed out there in the backstroke too so I have something to work on next time.”

Ian Chen (St Paul’s) continued his rich vein of form at this championships in the men’s 400m individual medley II3 timed final. He swam from lane three of the faster timed final and got away to a solid start in the butterfly leg. He held third place (1:08.27 split) as he turned onto the back. After the yellow lanes had established the early lead, Chen chipped away at closing the gap to second place during the backstroke leg (1:19.42 split). It was in the breaststroke leg that Chen shined the most after his II3 World Champion title in that discipline the previous day. Chen caught Alexander Hejaij (Australia) early in the fifth lap and extended the lead to have a strong position in second at the final transition (1:24.94 split). Hejaij closed the gap early in the freestyle leg to set up a final lap sprint to the line. Hejaij took the honours with Chen touching for third overall (1:11.82 split). The 20-year-old added another bronze medal to his growing collection, with Axel Parisot (4:48.95) and Hejaij (5:01.49) ahead on the podium.


The top three all smashed the previous II3 World Record, previously held by Chen from the 2025 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships earlier in the year. In the process, Chen (5:04.45) chopped more than 5.5 seconds off his SM19 New Zealand record and set a new personal best.


Quinn Pike (Hamilton Aquatics) had a straight final in the evening session for the women’s 100m freestyle II3. She swam from lane six and found herself in the fourth at the turn. She bridged the gap coming into the last few strokes to touch fourth overall (1:05.14). Amie Holwill (Australia – 1:00.05) broke the II3 World Record to win the gold medal ahead of Ella Hoye (Australia – 1:03.23) and Amelia Moore (Australia – 1:04.94) to round out an Australian clean sweep on the podium. Hoye, Moore and Pike made up the youth podium, with the 15-year-old New Zealander adding the youth bronze to her growing collection at these championships. The swim was the second fastest of her career in the event.


The men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay II1 saw consistent performances to qualify a spot in the evening final. James Haydon (Club 37 - 2:21.13 split) led the team off in lane five of the first heat. Jack Bugler (Blenheim – 2:16.33 split) swam the fastest split of the team as the second swimmer, before handing over to Bailey Conlon (Swim Rotorua – 2:26.49 split). David Beck (Club 37 - 2:16.57) anchored the team to seventh to book their lane in the final (9:20.52).


In the final, James Haydon led off the team once again from lane one. He surfaced from the dive at the 10m and was placed in eighth at the first turn and held this position through the first leg to be faster than the morning heat (2:19.17 split). Jack Bugler was second in the water and was consistent to the heat to maintain eighth (2:16.84 split). Bailey Conlon (2:30.25 split) kept the team moving and David Beck (2:16.06 split) went faster than his heat split to see the team finish eighth overall (9:22.32). The action was in the centre lanes however, with the local Thailand team (8:14.63) winning the gold over Japan (8:14.72) in a come-from-behind nail-biter.


During the heats, James Haydon had one of the fastest swims in his career in the men’s 100m freestyle II1. The 18-year-old took the heat out fast to lead at the turn and come home with a victory from lane five in the second heat (1:01.58). It was the third best time of his life in the event. As the heat results were collated, Haydon placed 25th overall and won the youth gold medal with Juan David Arevalo Fierro (Colombia – 1:02.89) and Eric Cordero (USA – 1:06.41) on either side on the podium.


Haydon acknowledged it meant a lot to him to win a medal for his country.

“I was excited and very proud to win a medal gold medal for New Zealand and my team.”

David Beck (Club 37) swam in the heat following Haydon, where he started on the outside in lane nine. He was towards the back of his heat as he finished 29th overall (1:02.86). Jack Bugler (Blenheim) also swam in the next heat from lane zero, with the 23-year-old outside his entry time to place 33rd overall (1:04.01).


Joseph Blake (Hamilton Aquatics) competed in the men’s 100m freestyle II2 heats not long after. The 24-year-old achieved a personal best (1:25.61) and broke the S18 New Zealand record he last set in early 2024 to finish 22nd overall. Finn Russ also competed in the II3 classification from the ninth heat in lane six. The 18-year-old was fifth at halfway before moving into fourth on the wall (1:03.56) to place 11th overall.


The men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay II3 was a timed final at the conclusion of the morning session. Ian Chen (2:14.99 split) led the team off well to be fourth at the first changeover. Tate Pichon (Club 37 – 2:34.60 split) had a solid second leg before handing over to Jole Watkins (Pukekohe – 2:16.40 split) at halfway. The 16-year-old produced a split faster than his individual personal best, before Finn Russ (Selwyn – 2:24.37) brought the team home in the final leg to touch fifth overall (9:30.36).


Day Five Preview

Day five has more long distance swimming with the 800m freestyle timed finals, with four Kiwis tackling the event. Lance Dustow (Central Hawke’s Bay) and Jole Watkins will also compete in the 200m backstroke. The session will conclude with the 100m butterfly.


The heats are held from 1.30pm NZST and finals from 9pm NZST later that evening. Finals will be viable for individual events that are 50m, 100m and 200m distances in the evening session per gender and classification. Events for 400m, 800m and 1500m distances will be raced as timed finals.


You can stay up-to-date with the action by following our social media channels for updates and our website for day wraps of the action.







You can watch the livestream via the Virtus Sport YouTube channel via the link below.





We have provided an overview of the action taking place each day in the daily schedule below. We have also listed the entries for each athlete and the team selected to ensure you know everything ahead of the six days of competition in Thailand.


Daily Schedule

*Start times are subject to change, while finals are subject to athlete progression


Thursday 28 August

 

Day Five Heats – from 1.30pm NZST

  • Men’s 800m freestyle II1 timed final (Conlon & Bugler)

  • Men’s 800m freestyle II3 timed final (Pichon)

  • Women’s 800m freestyle II3 timed final (Gladwin)

  • Men’s 200m backstroke II3 (Dustow & Watkins)

  • Men’s 100m butterfly II1 (Beck)

  • Men’s 100m butterfly II3 (Dustow & Watkins)

 

Day Five Finals (Potential) – from 9pm NZST

  • Men’s 200m backstroke II3 final (Dustow* & Watkins*)

  • Women’s 200m backstroke II3 final (Gladwin)

  • Men’s 100m butterfly II1 final (Beck*)

  • Men’s 100m butterfly II3 final (Dustow* & Watkins*)

  • Women’s 100m butterfly II3 final (Gladwin & Pike)

 

Friday 29 August

 

Day Six Heats – from 1.30pm NZST

  • Men’s 50m freestyle II1 (Beck)

  • Men’s 50m freestyle II2 (Blake)

  • Men’s 50m freestyle II3 (Russ & Watkins)

  • Women’s 50m freestyle II3 (Gladwin & Pike)

  • Men’s 200m breaststroke II1 (Conlon & Haydon)

  • Men’s 200m breaststroke II2 (Blake)

  • Men’s 200m breaststroke II3 (Chen)

  • Mixed 4 x 100m freestyle relay II3

 

Day Six Finals (Potential) – from 9pm NZST

  • Men’s 50m freestyle II1 final (Beck*)

  • Men’s 50m freestyle II2 final (Blake*)

  • Men’s 50m freestyle II3 final (Russ* & Watkins*)

  • Women’s 50m freestyle II3 final (Gladwin* & Pike*)

  • Men’s 200m breaststroke II1 final (Conlon* & Haydon*)

  • Men’s 200m breaststroke II2 final (Blake*)

  • Men’s 200m breaststroke II3 final (Chen*)

  • Mixed 4 x 100m freestyle relay II3 final*

 

Swimmer Entries & Results

 

David Beck (Club 37 – II1 Classification)

  • Men’s 400m freestyle II1 (result: 4:49.87 - 14th overall)

  • Men’s 100m backstroke II1 (result: 1:13.80 - 22nd overall)

  • Men’s 200m freestyle II1 (result: 2:16.50 - 20th overall)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II1 (result: 27.28 split, 1:54.62 in final - 8th overall - S14 NZ Record, 27.78 split, 1:56.37 in heat - S14 NZ Record)

  • Men's 100m breaststroke II1 (result: 1:33.85 - exhibition swim)

  • Men’s 50m backstroke II1 (result: 33.69 - 16th overall)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m medley relay II1 (result: 32.19 backstroke split, 2:10.14 - 9th overall)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II1 (result: 1:02.86 - 29th overall)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay II1 (result: 2:16.06 split, 9:22.32 in final - 8th, 2:16.57 split, 9:20.52 in heat)

  • Men’s 100m butterfly (entry time: 1:08.52)

  • Men’s 50m freestyle (entry time: 28.47)

 

Jack Bugler (Blenheim – II1 Classification)

  • Men’s 400m freestyle II1 (result: 4:59.92 - 25th overall)

  • Men’s 200m freestyle II1 (result: 2:19.28 - 26th overall)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II1 (result: 28.29 split, 1:54.62 in final - 8th overall - S14 NZ Record, 29.23 split, 1:56.37 in heat - S14 NZ Record)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m medley relay II1 (result: 28.57 freestyle split, 2:10.14 - 9th overall)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II1 (result: 1:04.01 - 33rd overall)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay II1 (result: 2:16.84 split, 9:22.32 in final - 8th, 2:16.33 split, 9:20.52 in heat)

  • Men’s 800m freestyle II1 (entry time: 9:54.46)

 

Joseph Blake (Hamilton Aquatics – II2 Classification)

  • Men’s 400m freestyle II2 (result: 7:30.35 - 14th overall)

  • Men’s 50m breaststroke II2 (result: 47.68 - 14th overall)

  • Men’s 200m individual medley II2 (result: 3:43.59 - 14th overall)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II2 (result: 1:45.65 - 9th overall - PB & S18 NZ Record)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II2 (result: 1:25.61 - 22nd overall - PB & S18 NZ Record)

  • Men’s 50m freestyle II2 (entry time: 36.92)

  • Men’s 200m breaststroke II2 (entry time: 4:57.27)

 

Ian Chen (St Paul’s – II3 Classification)

  • Men’s 50m breaststroke II3 (result: 33.13 in final - Silver overall, 35.41 in heat)

  • Men’s 200m individual medley II3 (result: 2:23.93 in final - Bronze overall - PB, 2:25.31 in heat)

  • Men's 4 x 50m freestyle relay II3 (result: 27.73 split, 1:52.62 in final - 5th overall - S19 NZ Record)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II3 (result: 1:12.93 in final - Gold overall - PB, 1:14.31 in heat)

  • Men’s 400m individual medley II3 (result: 5:04.45 - Bronze overall - PB & SM19 NZ Record)

  • Men's 4 x 200m freestyle relay II3 (result: 2:14.99 split, 9:30.36 - 5th overall)

  • Men’s 200m breaststroke II3 (entry time: 2:40.80)

 

Bailey Conlon (Swim Rotorua – II1 Classification)

  • Men’s 400m freestyle II1 (result: 5:05.78 - 30th overall)

  • Men’s 50m breaststroke II1 (result: 39.78 - 30th overall)

  • Men’s 200m freestyle II1 (result: 2:31.06 - 35th overall)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II1 (result: 31.02 split, 1:54.62 in final - 8th overall - S14 NZ Record, 31.14 split, 1:56.37 in heat - S14 NZ Record)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II1 (result: 1:28.66 - 31st overall)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m medley relay II1 (result: 34.76 butterfly split, 2:10.14 - 9th overall)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay II1 (result: 2:30.25 split, 9:22.32 in final - 8th, 2:26.49 split, 9:20.52 in heat)

  • Men’s 800m freestyle II1 (entry time: 9:56.61)

  • Men’s 200m breaststroke II1 (entry time: 3:14.24)

 

Lance Dustow (Central Hawke’s Bay – II3 Classification)

  • Men’s 100m backstroke II3 (result: 1:19.02 - 12th overall)

  • Men’s 50m butterfly II3 (result: 31.73 - 18th overall)

  • Men's 4 x 50m freestyle relay II3 (result: 30.52 split, 1:52.62 in final - 5th overall - S19 NZ Record)

  • Men’s 50m backstroke II3 (result: 35.00 - 10th overall)

  • Men’s 200m backstroke II3 (entry time: 2:46.97)

  • Men’s 100m butterfly II3

 

Chloe Gladwin (Whakatane – II3 Classification)

  • Women’s 400m freestyle II3 (result: 4:55.70 - 4th overall & Gold in youth)

  • Women’s 100m backstroke II3 (result: 1:17.49 in final - Bronze overall & Bronze in youth - PB & S19 NZ Record, 1:20.12 in heat)

  • Women’s 200m freestyle II3 (result: 2:23.58 - 4th overall & Silver in youth - PB)

  • Women’s 200m individual medley II3 (result: 2:43.54 in final - Silver overall & Gold in youth - S19 NZ Record & PB, 2:45.76 in heat - PB)

  • Women’s 1500m freestyle II3 (result: 19:21.58 - 4th overall, Gold in youth)

  • Women’s 50m backstroke II3 (result: 37.57 - 5th overall - PB & S19 NZ Record)

  • Women’s 400m individual medley II3 (result: 5:43.09 - Silver overall & Gold in youth - PB & SM19 NZ Record)

  • Women’s 800m freestyle II3 (entry time: 10:14.79)

  • Women’s 200m backstroke II3 (entry time: 2:52.06)

  • Women’s 100m butterfly II3 (entry time: 1:18.61)

  • Women’s 50m freestyle II3 (entry time: 31.55)

  • Mixed 4 x 100m freestyle relay II3

 

James Haydon (Club 37 – II1 Classification)

  • Men’s 50m breaststroke II1 (result: 35.44 - 18th overall)

  • Men’s 200m individual medley II1 (result: 2:42.19 - 23rd overall - PB)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II1 (result: 28.03 split, 1:54.62 in final - 8th overall - S14 NZ Record, 28.22 split, 1:56.37 in heat - S14 NZ Record)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II1 (result: 1:17.81 - 15th overall)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m medley relay II1 (result: 34.62 breaststroke split, 2:10.14 - 9th overall)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II1 (result: 1:01.58 - 25th overall & Gold in youth)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay II1 (result: 2:19.17 split, 9:22.32 in final - 8th, 2:21.13 split, 9:20.52 in heat)

  • Men’s 200m breaststroke II1 (entry time: 2:55.93)

 

Tate Pichon (Club 37 – II3 Classification)

  • Men’s 400m freestyle II3 (result: 5:07.41 - 15th overall)

  • Men’s 50m breaststroke II3 (result: 42.38 - 14th overall)

  • Men’s 200m freestyle II3 (result: 2:26.25 - 15th overall)

  • Men’s 1500m freestyle II3 (result: 20:47.73 - 8th overall)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II3 (result: 1:31.95 - 13th overall - PB)

  • Men's 4 x 200m freestyle relay II3 (result: 2:34.60 split, 9:30.36 - 5th overall)

  • Men’s 800m freestyle II3 (entry time: 9:58.27)

 

Quinn Pike (Hamilton Aquatics – II3 Classification)

  • Women’s 400m freestyle II3 (result: 4:58.54 - 5th overall & Silver in youth)

  • Women’s 50m breaststroke II3 (result: 41.17 - 5th overall & Bronze in youth - PB & S19 NZ Open & Age Record)

  • Women’s 200m individual medley II3 (result: 2:45.80 in final - 4th overall & Silver in youth, 2:45.29 - World Record, S19 NZ Open & Age Record and PB)

  • Women’s 100m breaststroke II3 (result: 1:29.61 - Bronze overall, Gold in youth - PB & S19 NZ Open & Age Record)

  • Women’s 100m freestyle II3 (result: 1:05.14 - 4th overall - Bronze in youth)

  • Women’s 100m butterfly II3 (entry time: 1:19.98)

  • Women’s 50m freestyle II3 (entry time: 30.08)

  • Mixed 4 x 100m freestyle relay II3

 

Finn Russ (Selwyn – II3 Classification)

  • Men’s 200m freestyle II3 (result: 2:17.39 - 10th overall)

  • Men’s 50m butterfly II3 (result: 29.78 - 13th overall)

  • Men's 4 x 50m freestyle relay II3 (result: 27.11 split, 1:52.62 in final - 5th overall - S19 NZ Record)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II3 (result: 1:03.56 - 11th overall)

  • Men's 4 x 200m freestyle relay II3 (result: 2:24.37 split, 9:30.36 - 5th overall)

  • Men’s 50m freestyle II3 (entry time: 26.73)

 

Jole Watkins (Pukekohe – II3 Classification)

  • Men’s 100m backstroke II3 (result: 1:12.38 in final - 8th overall & Bronze in youth, 1:12.00 in heat - PB & S19 NZ Open & Age Record)

  • Men’s 50m butterfly II3 (result: 29.55 - 11th overall)

  • Men’s 200m individual medley II3 (result: 2:36.13 in final - 7th overall & Gold in youth, 2:36.35 in heat)

  • Men's 4 x 50m freestyle relay II3 (result: 27.26 split, 1:52.62 in final - 5th overall - S19 NZ Record)

  • Men’s 50m backstroke II3 (result: 32.13 in final - 6th overall & Silver in youth - PB, 32.25 in heat - PB)

  • Men's 4 x 200m freestyle relay II3 (result: 2:16.40 split, 9:30.36 - 5th overall)

  • Men’s 200m backstroke II3 (entry time: 2:36.72)

  • Men’s 100m butterfly II3 (entry time: 1:06.73)

  • Men’s 50m freestyle II3 (entry time: 27.00)


Team Selected

The swimmers selected to represent New Zealand:

Name
Club
Coach
Role

David Beck

Club 37

Mitch Nairn

Swimmer

Jack Bugler

Blenheim

Shane Skehan

Swimmer

Joseph Blake

Hamilton Aquatics

Aly Fitch

Swimmer

Ian Chen

St Paul's

Graham Smith

Swimmer

Bailey Conlon

Swim Rotorua

Aidan Withington

Swimmer

Lance Dustow

Central Hawke's Bay

Alonso Fernandez Rodriguez

Swimmer

Chloe Gladwin

Whakatane

Mason Pickering

Swimmer

James Haydon

Club 37

Mitch Nairn

Swimmer

Tate Pichon

Club 37

Mitch Nairn

Swimmer

Quinn Pike

Hamilton Aquatics

Aly Fitch

Swimmer

Finn Russ

Selwyn

Ben Close

Swimmer

Jole Watkins

Pukekohe

Sheldon Kemp

Swimmer

The coaches and support staff selected to guide our New Zealand are:

Name
Club
Role

Glen Findlay

Nelson South

Head Coach

Mason Pickering

Whakatane

Assistant Coach

Jules Gladwin

Whakatane

Team Manager


 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page