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Medals & NZ Records Highlight Opening Day of World Virtus Champs

Updated: Aug 25, 2025

Day One Wrap of the 2025 World Virtus Swimming Championships



The opening day of the 2025 World Virtus Swimming Championships have been held in Bangkok, Thailand. The New Zealand team consisting of twelve swimmers have gotten off to a record-breaking start, breaking three New Zealand records and two New Zealand age records as part of winning a bag of medals. Ian Chen (St Paul’s) and Chloe Gladwin (Whakatane) were standouts with a silver and a bronze medal respectively, whilst five youth medals were achieved on a jam-packed opening day of action.


Ian Chen was one of the standout performers on the first day of competition. The 20-year-old swam the sixth fastest time in the heats (37.41) to qualify for the final in the men’s 50m breaststroke II3. Chen swam from lane seven in the final but got off to a better start from the blocks to be in hunt for the medals. He powered down the single lap race to claim the silver medal (33.13) with the second fastest time of his career. Alexander Hejaij (Australia – 31.65) was impressive to take the gold medal, whilst Chen out-touched Juan Jose Monsalve Giraldo (Colombia – 33.41) on wall as he won the bronze having had a battle throughout the race.


After the race, Chen shared he took the learnings from the morning heat swim to help him swim faster in the final.

“I learned always be motivated because I slipped on the block off the start in my heat. I knew I could swim much faster in the final.”

Chen will be back in action on day two with the men’s 200m individual medley.


Chloe Gladwin also made her mark on the first day of competition, collecting a total of three medals across two events. The 17-year-old swam the third fastest time in the heats (1:20.12) to qualify for the final in the women’s 100m backstroke II3. Gladwin swam from lane three in the final, having a good start to be locked in a battle with Maria Rasmussen (Denmark) in lane five throughout. Gladwin made a big improvement from her morning swim to claim the bronze medal (1:17.49) and set a new personal best, also breaking her S19 New Zealand record in the process. Ella Hoye (Australia – 1:13.54) won the gold with Rasmussen (1:17.28) just edging out Gladwin for the silver. The same three swimmers also claimed the youth medals as swimmers aged 18 and under for the event.


In the morning, Gladwin and Quinn Pike (Hamilton Aquatics) competed in the women’s 400m freestyle II3 timed final. Swimming in the lanes two and three side-by-side, Gladwin set the pace and held consistent lap times throughout the race. Pike appeared to use Gladwin to help her find her speed, not far behind from the outset. Gladwin was the first of the pair to get their hand on the wall, touching fourth overall (4:55.70) and Pike fifth overall (4:58.54). Both swam the second fastest times of their career as they won gold and silver respectively in the 18 and under youth category, with Manon Etringer (France – 5:07.00) the youth bronze. In the same race, Kate Wallington (Australia – 4:34.87) broke the II3 World Record to claim the overall gold medal.


Pike swam another event in the evening session, with the women’s 50m breaststroke II3 having a straight final. Pike (41.17) produced a personal best and S19 New Zealand record (both open and 16&U age) to touch fifth overall in the one lap sprint. Kate Wallington broke another II3 World Record to claim the overall gold medal. Australians Ella Hoye (38.08) and Amelia Moore (40.68) won the youth gold and silver, with Pike claiming her second medal of the day, this time the youth bronze medal.


Gladwin and Pike both return on day two for the women’s 200m individual medley II3, whilst Gladwin will also compete in the women’s 200m freestyle II3 too.


Jole Watkins (Pukekohe) opened his championships in the men’s 100m backstroke II3. The 16-year-old achieved a personal best and S19 New Zealand record (both open and 16&u age) in the heats (1:12.00) to qualify seventh fastest for the final. In the evening, Watkins swam from lane one and once again swam well to achieve the third best time of his career (1:12.38) to finish eighth overall. Morgan Hill (Australia – 1:06.45) broke the II3 World Record to win the overall and youth gold medal. Andres Alejandro Agudelo Rendon (Colombia – 1:08.18) won the overall bronze and youth silver, with Watkins claiming the youth bronze on international debut.


Watkins will feature twice on day two as he races the men’s 50m butterfly II3 before he tackles the men’s 200m individual medley II3.


During the morning heats session, New Zealand swimmers performed in eleven other races. David Beck (Club 37 – 4:49.87) was the fastest of the Kiwis in the men’s 400m freestyle II1, showing consistent pace through the middle to achieve the fourth fastest time of his career and finish 14th overall. Jack Bugler (Blenheim – 4:59.92) was our second best in 25th overall and Bailey Conlon (Swim Rotorua – 5:05.78) showed consistent pace as well to finish in 30th overall.


Joseph Blake (Hamilton Aquatics) was the sole New Zealander in the men’s 400m freestyle II2. The 24-year-old used surges during his race to finish 14th overall (7:30.35).


Tate Pichon (Club 37) was also the only Kiwi representative in the men’s 400m freestyle II3. The 28-year-old swam the fourth best time of his career to place 15th overall (5:07.41)


David Beck returned shortly after for the men’s 100m backstroke II1. He split his race well to finish 22nd overall (1:13.80).


Lance Dustow (Central Hawke’s Bay – 1:19.02) opened his campaign in Thailand in the men’s 100m backstroke II3, placing 12th overall behind Watkins.


James Haydon (Club 37) made his first appearance in the men’s 50m breaststroke II1. The 18-year-old swam the fifth best time of his career from lane two of the fourth heat to finish 18th overall (35.44). Bailey Conlon raced the event as well, also achieving the fifth best time of his career to place 30th (39.78).


Joseph Blake (47.68) achieved the second-best time of his career in the men’s 50m breaststroke II2 to finish 14th overall.


Tate Pichon (42.38) backed up his longer swim with the second-best time of his life in the men’s 50m breaststroke II3 to finish 14th overall in the same event Chen won the silver medal.


Day Two Preview

All twelve swimmers are in action on day two of competition. The 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley events are popular for the team, with nearly all featuring in at least one of the events in their respective classification. The first of our relay teams will race at these championships too, with the men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay for II1 and II3 classifications heading to the blocks.


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


Monday 25 August

 

Day Two Heats – from 1.30pm NZST

  • Men’s 200m freestyle II1 (Beck, Bugler & Conlon)

  • Men’s 200m freestyle II3 (Pichon & Russ)

  • Women’s 200m freestyle II3 (Gladwin)

  • Men’s 50m butterfly II3 (Dustow, Russ & Watkins)

  • Men’s 200m individual medley II1 (Haydon)

  • Men’s 200m individual medley II2 (Blake)

  • Men’s 200m individual medley II3 (Chen & Watkins)

  • Women’s 200m individual medley II3 (Gladwin & Pike)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II1 (Beck, Bugler, Conlon & Haydon)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II3

 

Day Two Finals (Potential) – from 9pm NZST

  • Men’s 200m freestyle II1 final (Beck*, Bugler* & Conlon*)

  • Men’s 200m freestyle II3 final (Pichon* & Russ*)

  • Women’s 200m freestyle II3 final (Gladwin*)

  • Men’s 50m butterfly II3 final (Dustow*, Russ* & Watkins*)

  • Men’s 200m individual medley II1 final (Haydon*)

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

  • Men’s 200m individual medley II3 final (Chen* & Watkins*)

  • Women’s 200m individual medley II3 final (Gladwin* & Pike*)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II1 final (Beck*, Bugler*, Conlon* & Haydon*)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II3 final*

 

Tuesday 26 August

 

Day Three Heats – from 1.30pm NZST

  • Men’s 1500m freestyle II3 timed final (Pichon)

  • Women’s 1500m freestyle II3 timed final (Gladwin)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II1 (Beck, Conlon & Haydon)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II2 (Blake)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II3 (Chen & Pichon)

  • Women’s 100m breaststroke II3 (Pike)

  • Men’s 50m backstroke II1 (Beck)

  • Men’s 50m backstroke II3 (Dustow & Watkins)

  • Women’s 50m backstroke II3 (Gladwin)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m medley II1 (Beck, Bugler, Conlon & Haydon)

 

Day Three Finals – from 9pm NZST

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II1 final (Conlon* & Haydon*)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II2 final (Blake*)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II3 final (Chen* & Pichon*)

  • Women’s 100m breaststroke II3 final (Pike*)

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

  • Men’s 50m backstroke II3 final (Dustow* & Watkins*)

  • Women’s 50m backstroke II3 final (Gladwin*)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m medley II1 final (Beck*, Bugler*, Conlon* & Haydon*)

 

Wednesday 27 August

 

Day Four Heats – from 1.30pm NZST

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II1 (Beck, Bugler & Haydon)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II2 (Blake)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II3 (Russ)

  • Women’s 100m freestyle II3 (Pike)

  • Men’s 400m individual medley II3 timed final (Chen)

  • Women’s 400m individual medley II3 timed final (Gladwin)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle II1 (Beck, Bugler, Conlon & Haydon)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle II3

 

Day Four Finals (Potential) – from 9pm NZST

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II1 final (Beck*, Bugler* & Haydon*)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II2 final (Blake*)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II3 final (Russ*)

  • Women’s 100m freestyle II3 final (Pike*)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle II1 final (Beck*, Bugler*, Conlon* & Haydon*)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle II3 final*

 

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)

  • Women’s 200m backstroke II3 (Gladwin)

  • Men’s 100m butterfly II1 (Beck)

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

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

 

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 (entry time: 2:16.97)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II1

  • Men's 100m breaststroke II1 (exhibition swim)

  • Men’s 50m backstroke II1 (entry time: 33.74)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m medley relay II1

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II1 (entry time: 1:01.42)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay II1

  • 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 (entry time: 4:59.92 - 25th overall)

  • Men’s 200m freestyle II1 (entry time: 2:09.52)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II1

  • Men’s 4 x 50m medley relay II1

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II1 (entry time: 1:00.31)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay II1

  • 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 (entry time: 3:42.87)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II2 (entry time: 1:48.67)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II2 (entry time: 1:26.68)

  • 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 (entry time: 2:25.75)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II3 (entry time: 1:13.60)

  • Men’s 400m individual medley II3 (entry time: 5:09.99)

  • 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 (entry time: 2:16.51)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II1

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II1 (entry time: 1:24.95)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m medley relay II1

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay II1

  • 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 (entry time: 32.77)

  • Men’s 50m backstroke II3 (entry time: 34.41)

  • 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 (entry time: 2:23.82)

  • Women’s 200m individual medley II3 (entry time: 2:46.37)

  • Women’s 1500m freestyle II3 (entry time: 19:16.98)

  • Women’s 50m backstroke II3 (entry time: 37.71)

  • Women’s 400m individual medley II3 (entry time: 5:49.02)

  • 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 (entry time: 2:45.26)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m freestyle relay II1

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II1 (entry time: 1:15.48)

  • Men’s 4 x 50m medley relay II1

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II1 (entry time: 1:01.44)

  • Men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay II1

  • 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 (entry time: 2:25.49)

  • Men’s 1500m freestyle II3 (entry time: 19:56.84)

  • Men’s 100m breaststroke II3 (entry time: 1:34.39)

  • 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 (entry time: 2:46.67)

  • Women’s 100m breaststroke II3 (entry time: 1:32.30)

  • Women’s 100m freestyle II3 (entry time: 1:04.83)

  • 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 (entry time: 2:11.18)

  • Men’s 50m butterfly II3 (entry time: 28.64)

  • Men’s 100m freestyle II3 (entry time: 59.15)

  • 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 (entry time: 29.23)

  • Men’s 200m individual medley II3 (entry time: 2:37.56)

  • Men’s 50m backstroke II3 (entry time: 32.92)

  • 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


 
 
 

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