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Gladwin Shines on Penultimate Day in Thailand

Day Five Wrap of the 2025 World Virtus Swimming Championships


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Chloe Gladwin (Whakatane) was the star performer again on the penultimate day of competition in Bangkok, achieving three New Zealand records and three personal bests. The teenager added more medals to her collection at these 2025 World Virtus Swimming Championships with two open medals and three youth medals from her events across the day. Jole Watkins (Pukekohe) also added two youth medals to his collection as the duo continued to break S19 New Zealand records on the international stage.


Chloe Gladwin continued her record-breaking form this week in Thailand with the women’s 800m freestyle II3 timed final the first of her events on day five. The event was swum in the morning session, with Gladwin lining up in lane two of the second timed final. Gladwin used her early speed through the first 100m before settling into splits of low 38 seconds per lap to the halfway mark (4:58.76 split). Gladwin picked up her pace in the latter half of the race as she targeted Maellys Drean (France) ahead of her in lane three alongside her. She had some distance to make up as she was nearly five seconds behind at 400m, but she chipped away gradually with mid 37 second laps. With 150m to swim, Gladwin put her foot down to pull up alongside Drean with two laps to swim. She used this momentum to pull ahead, touching second in the timed final (9:57.88). The result saw her finish with the bronze medal overall, behind Kate Wallington (Australia – 9:26.53) who continued her dominance with another II3 World Record and Amie Holwill (Australia – 9:45.45) from a separate timed final.


Gladwin also took the youth gold medal as she swam a massive personal best, nearly 17 seconds faster than her previous mark, to break the S19 New Zealand in the process.


Gladwin was spurred on by catching Maellys Drean.

“I saw the French girl ahead of me and thought ‘hmm, I can catch her,’ so I did!”

Gladwin had the first of her two straight finals in the evening session. In the women’s 200m backstroke II3, she started from lane three and got away to a good start. She found her rhythm early to start moving through the field to be fourth at the first turn. She commenced a battle with Maria Rasmussen (Denmark) which continued throughout the remainder of the race. Gladwin was third at 100m and 150m but surged in the final lap to pass in the final stages and touch second. Ella Hoye (Australia – 2:41.28) led from start to finish to break the II3 World Record, Gladwin winning the silver medal (2:43.07) and Rasmussen (2:44.65) the bronze overall with the same three forming the youth podium. The 17-year-old smashed her personal best in the final by nearly eight seconds to break another S19 New Zealand in the process.


Gladwin returned shortly after alongside Quinn Pike (Hamilton Aquatics) for the women’s 100m butterfly II3 final. Both got off to a good start from their respective lanes to be in the hunt as the moved down the pool for the first lap. Gladwin moved into fourth and Pike close behind in sixth at the turn. Gladwin motored back down the pool to hold down fourth overall (1:14.74) demolishing her personal best by nearly four seconds to break the S19 New Zealand record. Pike (1:17.24) finished sixth overall with a S19 New Zealand age record (16&U) and a personal best. Gladwin took home the third youth medal in as many events on day five with a silver behind World Record breaker Emma Chantry (Australia – 1:10.77) and Maria Rasmussen (Denmark – 1:15.05) with the youth bronze.


Jole Watkins was another to continue his strong form in these championships. He competed in the first of his two events on day five in the men’s 200m backstroke II3. He swam in the sixth heat from lane six. The 16-year-old got away to a solid start to be fourth in his heat at each turn and finished strong through the last lap to maintain fourth on the wall (2:41.90). He finished 9th overall and took the silver in the youth category with a personal best and S19 New Zealand (both open and age).


Lance Dustow (Central Hawke’s Bay) was the other Kiwi in the same heat from lane two. He was behind Watkins throughout to finish 10th overall (2:51.17).


The morning session began with the men’s 800 freestyle timed finals. Jack Bugler (Blenheim) was the fastest of our New Zealand swimmers. The 23-year-old started from lane nine of the third timed final and was consistent throughout, regularly splitting between 39 – 40 seconds per lap. He touched fifth in his classification at the conclusion of his timed final (10:38.37) to place 17th overall. Bailey Conlon (Swim Rotorua) had raced in the previous timed final in lane six. He also paced his race consistently, splitting 40 – 41 seconds per lap consistently. Conlon upped the tempo through the last two laps to finish strong (10:44.99) to achieve the second fastest time of his career to place 19th overall.


Tate Pichon (Club 37) also raced the long-distance freestyle in his II3 classification. The 28-year-old started well to turn through the first 200m with 39 second laps, before setting into a pace with 40 – 41 second laps afterwards. He placed ninth overall (10:45.15) with the third fastest time of his career.


Later in the morning session the men’s 100m butterfly was held. David Beck was the first of New Zealand swimmers in action in his II1 classification in lane eight of the fourth heat. He was outside his best time to touch eighth in the heat (1:09.89) to place 20th overall.


Jole Watkins returned for the II3 classification event. He continued his medal-winning form from lane six of the ninth heat to place tenth overall and add the bronze medal in the youth category to his collection (1:07.32). The time was the second best of his career as the teenager continued to stamp his credentials on the international stage. Lance Dustow also returned in an earlier heat, placing 16th overall (1:14.30).


Day Six Preview

The short and sharp 50m freestyle is at the start of the programme on the final day of competition in Thailand with six New Zealand swimmers racing the event. The 200m breaststroke will see four other males compete afterwards, before the mixed 4 x 100m freestyle relay II3 rounds out the morning session.


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


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 (result: 1:09.89 - 20th overall)

  • 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 (result: 10:38.37 - 17th overall)

 

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 (result: 10:44.99 - 19th overall)

  • 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 (result: 2:51.17 - 10th overall)

  • Men’s 100m butterfly II3 (result: 1:14.30 - 16th overall)

 

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 (result: 9:57.88 - Bronze overall & Gold in youth - PB & S19 NZ Record)

  • Women’s 200m backstroke II3 (result: 2:43.07 - Silver overall & Silver in youth - PB & S19 NZ Record)

  • Women’s 100m butterfly II3 (result: 1:14.74 - 4th overall & Silver in youth - PB & S19 NZ Record)

  • 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 (result: 10:45.15)

 

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 (result: 1:17.24 - 6th overall - PB & S19 NZ Age Record)

  • 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 (result: 2:41.90 - 9th overall & Silver in youth - PB & S19 NZ Open & Age Record)

  • Men’s 100m butterfly II3 (result: 1:07.32 - 10th overall & Bronze in youth)

  • 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


 
 
 

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