Swimmers Hit World Championships Qualification Times on Day One

dale493
4 hours ago
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Day One Wrap - 2025 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships

Aquablacks Erika Fairweather (North Shore), Caitlin Deans (Neptune & Swim Dunedin) Eve Thomas (Coast) have raced an impressive 800m freestyle final to all swim under the qualification time for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.

Competing on day one of the 2025 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships at the Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre in Auckland, Fairweather showcased the form which saw her reach four Olympic finals last year.

The 21-year-old led the race from start to finish, recording a time of 8:21.67s to go well under the World Champs qualification time of 8:34.62s.

Behind Fairweather, there was a huge battle for second place, with Thomas and Deans trading second and third place throughout the race. The swim went down to the last 50m, with Deans sneaking ahead to finish in 8:29.32, just over half a second ahead of Thomas in 8:30.00s.

Deans expressed how pleased she was with her swim.

“It means so much to me to make that qualification time. Everyone swam such a good race so I’m really stoked. Sharing the pool with Eve and Erika and having them to push me along has made me a better athlete and got me to where I am and it’s great that we all swam under that time.”

Sophie Hay (Hamilton Aquatics & RPC Waikato) won the 17 - 18 years national title in 9:00.14s, narrowly ahead of Olivia Emmett (Club 37) and Brooke Bennett (Jasi) in second and third respectively.

Louis Clark (North Shore) also had a great evening. Racing in the gruelling men’s 1500m freestyle, the 23-year-old finished in 15:25.62s, going under the qualification time to swim in the newly-introduced 3km knockout open water event at the World Aquatics Championships.

Larn Hamblyn-Ough (Coast) placed second in 16.07.14s and Alfie Weatherston Harvey (Kiwi) third in 16:13.20s. Weatherston Harvey claimed the 17 - 18 years age title with Ethan Stocks (Roskill) and Jack Barton (North Shore) rounding out the podium.

Earlier in the evening, 16-year-old Ariel Muchirahondo (Swim Rotorua) continued his fine run of form, picking up the first long course open national title of his career, storming home to win the men’s 400m individual medley.

Sitting in second after 50m the Rotorua teenager then began to show his class, building a lead in the backstroke before a dominant breaststroke and freestyle saw him comfortably take 1st place in 4:24.46s.

Muchirahondo was thrilled with his performance.

“That win means a lot. It’s good to get back in there and beat my time from nationals last year where I got bronze. I’m always just trying to get better and better, and all the work’s starting to pay off. I just love racing, so I’m excited to race and excited to see what I can do throughout the week.”

Blair Helms (North Shore) took second in the 400m individual medley in 4:30.77s, while Jack Love (Blenheim) took third in the open swim with a time of 4:37.54s. Love (4:37.54s) took out the 17-18 years age group ahead of Daniel Kregting (Roskill and Hunter Lloyd (Raumati).

Another athlete who punched his ticket to a world event is 18-year-old Igor Russanov (Coast). The Coast swimmer touching the wall in 23.02s in the 50m freestyle, coming in under the qualification time for the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships. He took out the 17-18 years age group ahead of Jasper Cornish (Coast) and Noah Ireland-Spicer (Otaki Titans).

In the women’s 400m individual medley, Gina McCarthy (Hamilton Aquatics & RPC Waikato) led from start to finish with a strong overall swim seeing her finish in 4:45.67s. Deotille Videau (Tahiti) was the second to the wall, followed by Ariella Riley (Hamilton Aquatics & RPC Waikato) who took the Kiwi silver and Olivia Bates (North Shore) for Kiwi bronze. Bates (5:01.75s) claimed the 17-18 years title ahead of Freya Hingston (United) and Hanna Abdou (Wharenui).

Gaby Smith (Vikings) took out the women’s 100m breaststroke multi-class final. The SB9 swimmer finished in 1:22.60s, again going under the World Para Swimming Championships qualification time. She was followed by Charlotte Rosen (Wharenui - SB18) in 2:13.38s.

In the men’s 100m breaststroke multi-class final, Daniel Smith (Pukekohe - SB19) swam a blistering 1:09.62s to take the win. He was followed by Ian Chen (St Paul's - SB19) in second in 1:13.60s and Joshua Willmer (Coast) in third who broke his SB8 New Zealand record twice in one day, this evening posting a time of 1:12.52s to again go under the World Para Swimming Championships qualification time.

In the women’s 100m backstroke multi-class final, Chloe Gladwin (Whakatane - S19) had a solid swim to break the S19 New Zealand record to take the win in 1:18.41s. Lili-Fox Mason (Wharenui - S10) placed second, with Tupou Neiufi (Mt Eden - S9) third.

In the men’s 100m backstroke multi-class final, Jole Watkins (Pukekohe - S19) took the win in 1:13.86s, followed by Lance Dustow (Central Hawke's Bay - S19) and David Beck (Club 37 - S14).

In the women’s 50m freestyle, Chelsey Edwards (North Shore) added another national title to her name, flying home to touch the wall in 25.16s, ahead of Laura Quilter (Coast) who placed second in 25.26s and Zoe Pedersen (Coast) third in 25.44s.

Pedersen’s time saw her set a New Zealand 18 years age record twice in the day and again go under the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships qualification time. She won the 17 - 18 years age group ahead of Stacey Morgan (Triton) and Monique Wieruszowski (North Shore).

In the men’s open 50m freestyle final, 19-year-old Harrison Klouwens (Club 37) picked up his first national open title, bettering his entry time to finish in an impressive 22.16s.

Klouwens was thrilled with the result.

“That was unreal, I can’t believe it. I’ve been putting so much work into that 50m, so I’m super stoked to see it pay off.”

Jack Hendy placed second and Carter Swift third to make it a Club 37 podium.

Aquablack Hazel Ouwehand (Phoenix Aquatics) retained her national title in the women’s 100m butterfly, taking first place in a time of 58.81s. She was followed by 16-year-old Milan Glintmeyer (Coast) in second in 1:00.28s and Zoe Pedersen in third in 1:00.64s who both again went under the qualification time for the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships. Pedersen won second 17 - 18 years age title of the night ahead of Amelia Bray (North Shore) and Brooke Swan (Nelson South).

A commanding performance by the Caleb Carlisle (Napier Aquahawks) saw him win the men’s 100m Butterfly in 53.79s. Lochlainn O’Connor (Matamata) placed second and Ryan Peck (Club 37) third. Daniel Kregting (56.59s) won the 17 - 18 years age group ahead of Hamish Inwood (Triton) and Eric Yuan (Porirua City Aquatics).

The evening was rounded out with the 4 x 100m freestyle relays. North Shore took the honours in the women’s, while Club 37 took the top podium spot in the men’s event.

Other record-breaking performances from across the day included Ian Chen breaking the SM19 New Zealand record in the 400m individual medley (5:09.99s), Asher Smith-Franklin (North Shore) breaking his SB14 New Zealand record and Joseph Blake (Hamilton Aquatics) his SB18 New Zealand record in the 100m breaststroke (1:10.56).

Day Two Preview - Thursday 22 May

Another day of exciting races to watch, which starts with must watch events. Heats will be held from 9am each morning, with finals held in the evening from 6pm. The list of events in order are:

100m freestyle
200m freestyle multi-class
200m backstroke
100m butterfly multi-class
50m breaststroke
Mixed 4 x 100m freestyle relay

Day two kicks off with the must watch races of the night in the 100m freestyle. Erika Fairweather enters as the fastest seed ahead of teammate Chelsey Edwards and youngsters Zoe Pedersen and Milana Tapper (St Peter's). NZ Record holder Cameron Gray will be hoping to repeat his performance from last year when he qualified for Paris, with Aquablack Carter Swift, and Zac Dell (Club 37) making both the women's and men's event ones not to miss.

National titles are up for grabs in the 200m freestyle multi-class events with a number of swimmers across the classifications in the frame.

Developing youngsters Isabelle Gibson (Club 37), Amber George (Coast) and Hanna Abdou (Wharenui) will be challenging Gina McCarthy in the 200m backstroke. Aquablack and NZ Record holder Kane Follows (Neptune & Swim Dunedin) enters with the fastest time after his memorable qualifying time at last year's championships which saw him selected for Paris.

Aquablack and NZ Record holder Josh Willmer (Coast) will be one to watch in the 100m breaststroke multi-class having already achieved the qualifying time for Singapore. Aquablack Lili-Fox Mason (Wharenui) will make her first appearance and Asher Smith-Franklin will both be aiming to also qualify for Singapore.

NZ Record holder Monique Wieruszowski (North Shore) will be hoping to qualify for both Romania and Singapore world championships in the 50m breaststroke. For the men, we will crown a new national champion in the event.

Coast enters as the fastest relay team ahead of Club 37 and North Shore in the mixed 4 x 100m freestyle relay.

Key Details

Heats will be held from 9am each morning, with finals held in the evening from 6pm. Whilst there is no better place to watch the racing than live from in the grandstands, all sessions of the championships will be available live and free on the Swimming NZ YouTube channel.

Dates: 21 - 25 May

Location: Sir Owen G Glenn National Aquatic Centre

Heats Start: 8.55am (livestream), 9am (racing)

Finals Start: 5.50pm (livestream), 6pm (racing)

Programme & Results

Purchase Tickets

Livestream

Alongside the championships, the 2024 Swimming NZ Awards will be presented during the finals sessions from Thursday to Sunday. These awards will recognise outstanding achievements and service to the sport during the 2024 calendar year.

Finalists for 2024 SNZ Awards

Day Previews

Each day of competition has must watch races. An overview of each day has been provided below.

Day Two - Thursday 22 May

Another day of exciting races to watch, which starts with must watch events. The list of events in order are:

100m freestyle
200m freestyle multi-class
200m backstroke
100m butterfly multi-class
50m breaststroke
Mixed 4 x 100m freestyle relay

National titles are up for grabs in the 200m freestyle multi-class events with a number of swimmers across the classifications in the frame.

Coast enters as the fastest relay team ahead of Club 37 and North Shore in the mixed 4 x 100m freestyle relay.

Day Three - Friday 23 May

The reigning World Champion in her main event is the headline for day three and she will be the first event up. The list of events in order are:

400m freestyle
400m freestyle multi-class
100m backstroke
50m backstroke multi-class
200m breaststroke
50m butterfly
50m butterfly
4 x 200m freestyle relay

Reigning World Champion and NZ Record holder Erika Fairweather will return for her main event, the 400m freestyle, to kickstart day three. All eyes will be on the action and the clock as Eve Thomas and Caitlin Deans will also be aiming for qualifying times for Singapore. Louis Clark will have some youngsters for company in the men's event, with James Leigh (Coast) who recently achieved the qualifying time for Romania and Brendan Visser (Coast) close upon entry times.

Aquablack Lili-Fox Mason will be back in the pool for the 400m freestyle multi-class and five swimmers will battle for the men's title.

It's incredibly close in the women's 100m backstroke, with four young swimmers hoping to claim the national title following Aquablack Helena Gasson's retirement late last year. Amber George, Savannah-Eve Martin (Coast), Milan Glintmeyer and Isabelle Gibson will be pushing the pace and close to times for Romania and Singapore respectively. Cooper Morley (North Shore) enters as the fastest upon returning from his semester at college, with Zac Dell and Kane Follows not far behind.

Reigning World Champion and Aquablack Cameron Leslie (Whangarei) will make his first appearance of the championships in the 50m backstroke multi-class, with Chloe Gladwin (Whakatane) the fastest seed in the women's.

Zyleika Pratt-Smith (Coast) and Melissa Cowen (North Shore) are close on their entry times in the 200m breaststroke, as are Sam Brown and Blair Helms (North Shore).

NZ Record holder and Aquablack Hazel Ouwehand is comfortably the fastest seed in the 50m butterfly and has already achieved the qualifying time for Singapore in this event. Cameron Gray goes in as the fastest seed entering the championships for the men.

Youngster Rylee Sayer (Matamata) will race the first of the events she has already achieved a qualifying time for Singapore in as she takes on the 50m butterfly multi-class alongside Aquablacks Gaby Smith and Lili-Fox Mason. Asher Smith-Franklin enters as the fastest male seed.

Day Four - Saturday 24 May

Our legends kick off the night on day four before rounding out the night with the must watch 200m freestyle. The list of events in order are:

Legends Relay - 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay
200m butterfly
50m breaststroke multi-class
100m breaststroke
100m freestyle multi-class
200m freestyle
Mixed 4 x 100m medley relay

NZ Age Record holder Ariel Muchirahondo is the fastest entry in the 200m butterfly as he will try to go under the two minute mark for the first time in his career, having already achieved the qualifying time for Romania. Neve Tassicker (Nga Tai Tuatea a Taraika) and Esme Paterson (Neptune & Swim Dunedin) are the fastest seeds for the women.

NZ Record holder Josh Willmer returns for the 50m breaststroke multi-class as he will have competition across the classifications with ten males entered, whilst there are three women battling out the spots on the podium.

Monique Wieruszowski will be racing the clock in the 100m breaststroke, whilst Hara Hughes (Coast) and Blair Helms enter with nearly identical times for the men.

Youngster Rylee Sayer will be hoping to go faster again in the 100m freestyle multi-class after having already achieved the qualifying time for Singapore, whilst Aquablacks Gaby Smith and Lili-Fox Mason will both be hoping to follow her lead. Four-time Paralympian Cameron Leslie will be the one to watch as 15 males take part in the men's event.

Reigning World Champs silver medallist and NZ Record holder Erika Fairweather will be hoping to add the 200m freestyle event to her Singapore campaign, as will Milana Tapper who recently swam close to the qualifying time. Aquablacks Eve Thomas, Caitlin Deans, Chelsey Edwards and Summer Osborne (North Shore) will all be hoping to swim under two minutes and push their case for a relay team after the women's team made the final in Paris last year.

Louis Clark, Brendan Visser and James Leigh will meet again over the shorter 200m freestyle distance.

Coast and North Shore are neck and neck on entry times for the mixed 4 x 100m medley relay.

Day Five - Sunday 25 May

The final day of racing promises more thrilling battles, with Aquablacks, emerging young talent and relay rivalries set to close out the championships. The list of events in order are:

200m individual medley
200m individual medley multi-class
50m backstroke
50m freestyle multi-class
Women's 1500m freestyle
Men's 800m freestyle
4 x 100m medley relay

Gina McCarthy and Sam Brown head into the 200m individual medley as the fastest seeds, whilst Aquablack Gaby Smith and Asher Smith-Franklin do for the multi-class event.

The group of developing backstroke girls resume their battle across the shortest distance, with Amber George having recently achieved the qualifying time for Singapore. Experienced Aquablacks in Laura Quilter and Hazel Ouwehand will be in the mix with Savannah-Eve Martin, Isabelle Gibson and Milan Glintmeyer.

Aquablack and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Andrew Jeffcoat (United) returns to the national championships as the one to beat ahead of Zac Dell, Cooper Morley and Aquablack Cameron Gray in the men's 50m backstroke.

Rylee Sayer and former World Record holder Cameron Leslie will be the ones to watch in the deep fields of the 50m freestyle multi-class.

Eve Thomas and Caitlin Deans are set for a close race after both have already achieved the qualifying time for Singapore in the 1500m freestyle.

Louis Clark and Larn Hamblyn-Ough are set to resume their long distance battles in the 800m freestyle.

Coast and North Shore will be battling for the final relay bragging rights to round out the championships on Sunday evening, this time in the 4 x 100m medley relays.