Record-breaking Performances Highlight Night Two in Christchurch
Day Two Wrap – 2026 NZ Short Course Swimming Championships
Records, tight finishes and repeat champions highlighted an action-packed second night of the 2026 NZ Short Course Swimming Championships at Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre in Christchurch.
One of the races of the night came in the men’s 100m freestyle, where just 0.06s separated Jasper Cornish (Coast) and Fraser Walker (United).
Cornish backed up his opening-night 100m backstroke title to take the win in 48.11, with Walker touching in 48.17 to lower the 18 years New Zealand age-group record for the second time in a day, after breaking it in his heat. Kevin Zhang (Roskill) claimed bronze.
“Honestly, I had no idea where I was the whole time. I was just trying to put my head down and touch the wall at the end there, but I’m really happy,” said Cornish.
The records continued in the B final, where 14-year-old Grayson Coulter (North Shore) lowered his own 14 years New Zealand age-group record, clocking 50.10.
The women’s 100m freestyle also produced an exciting finish, with Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Milana Tapper (St Peter’s & Griffith Uni) taking the national title in 53.60. Alyssa Lawson (Hamilton Aquatics & St Andrew's) finished just under half a second behind for silver, with Zoe Pedersen (Coast) in bronze.
It wouldn’t be Pedersen’s last trip to the podium, with the 19-year-old returning with a commanding performance in the women’s 50m butterfly.
Pedersen led from start to finish to claim the title in 26.42, ahead of Coast teammate Milan Glintmeyer, with Savannah-Eve Martin completing a strong showing for the club by taking Kiwi bronze behind Australian visitor Annika Kobus.
“I was really trying to work on my skills there, especially the turn. I think I’ve been doing more turn training than actual fly, so I’m happy with how that went,” said Pedersen.
After becoming a World Junior Champion last year, Pedersen said she was pleased with the progress she continues to make.
“I didn’t really know what was going to happen, but I’m happy with how it’s gone, and I’m really happy with the progress I’ve made with Michael and all the support around me.”
Christchurch had a home victory to celebrate in the men’s 50m butterfly, with QEII’s Christopher Elson racing to the national title in 23.44. Jack Hendy (United) finished second and Cooper Morley (North Shore) third.
Quinn Pike (S19 – Hamilton Aquatics) continued her strong form in the women's multi-class events, producing a 32.04 performance in the women’s 50m butterfly to break her S19 national record. Australian visitor Amelia Steiner (S19) recorded 31.38, while Lili-Fox Mason (S10 – Wharenui) and Greer Holland (S19 – Zenith) completed the Kiwi podium.
In the men’s multi-class 50m butterfly, Asher Smith-Franklin (S14 – Coast) continued his strong championships to take the title in 27.23, ahead of Jack McMillan (S18 – Greendale) and David Beck (S14 – United).
The 400m individual medley produced more close racing, with Emilia Finer (Neptune & Swim Dunedin) and Nemanja Markovic (North Shore) claiming the women’s and men’s national titles.
Finer prevailed in a close women’s race, delivering a jaw-dropping final 50m to touch in 4:50.07, finishing just 0.61s ahead of 14-year-old Jenna Borea (Jasi), with Kezia Buissinne (North Shore) third.
Markovic claimed the men’s title in 4:21.58, ahead of Jack Love (Blenheim) and Declan Broadfoot (Nga Tai Tuatea a Taraika).
The multi-class 400m freestyle saw Paralympian Lili-Fox Mason (S10 – Wharenui) take the Kiwi women’s title in 4:52.83. Londyn Dillinger (S9 – Murihiku) finished second and Summer Vincent (S14 – Dannevirke) third, while Australian visitor Amelia Steiner (S19) took visitor gold in 4:46.66.
The men’s race was even closer, with United teammates James Haydon and David Beck going head-to-head. Haydon (S14) prevailed in 4:31.78, just 0.80s ahead of Beck (S14), while Preston Maxwell (S14 – Nga Tai Tuatea a Taraika) finished third.
The night finished with the 4 x 100m medley relays, where Coast Swimming Club continued its successful championships with a dominant victory in the women’s event.
Amber George, Zyleika Pratt-Smith, Milan Glintmeyer and Zoe Pedersen combined to win in 3:57.81, less than a second outside the New Zealand record. United Swimming Club claimed Kiwi silver and Wharenui Swim Club bronze.
North Shore Swimming Club had the final say of the evening, with Cooper Morley, Blair Helms, Nemanja Markovic and 14-year-old Grayson Coulter combining to claim the men’s 4 x 100m medley title in 3:37.72. Coast Swimming Club B finished second and Wharenui Swim Club third.
Full results can be found on Swimify.
The 2026 NZ Short Course Swimming Championships continue at Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre tomorrow, with the 200m backstroke and 100m butterfly and 50m breaststroke to be contested on day three.
The championships mark the return of national championship swimming to Christchurch, with five days of racing taking place at the new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.
The 2026 New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championships are supported by competition partners Christchurch City Council and China Eastern.
Key Details
Heats will be held from 8:30am each morning, with finals held in the evening from 5pm. All sessions of the championships will be streamed on the Swimming NZ Vidzing channel.
You can purchase full livestream access to all five days of racing for $24.95, or alternatively pay $5.00 for an individual session pass.
Dates: 27 September – 1 October
Location: Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, Christchurch
Heats Start: 8.25am (livestream), 8:30am (racing)
Finals Start: 4.50pm (livestream), 5pm (racing)
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