SNZ Events
Epic Swim
High Performance
SNZ Events
Epic Swim
High Performance
Teenage sensation Gabrielle Fa’amausili produced the standout performance at the 2015 Mayfair Pools New Zealand Age Group Championships in Wellington today.
The championships at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre double as the official trial for swimmers to gain selection for the biennial World Junior Championships in Singapore and the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa.
Fa’amausili (Roskill, Auckland) was quickest home in the 50m freestyle across all age groups tonight to earn a second qualifying time for the FINA World Junior Championships.
Her time of 25.65 also broke her own New Zealand 15 years age group record.
“It’s really exciting, so glad I got another race under my sleeve, so I’m happy with that,” Fa’amausili said.
“Age groups is always a real fun but serious week for me so I think tonight was just about going out there not proving anyone or anything but just seeing the best I can do and having fun doing it as well.”
Fa’amausili will head to the world junior championships hoping to defend her title in the 50m backstroke which she will swim on the final day of competition this Saturday.
The talented team believes her experience at the Youth Olympics last year will help her be prepared for the occasion.
“I think I learned my lesson last year with going in ranked first at Youth Olympics and coming out third.
“So I think this time, this year I just need to focus on me and what I’m doing and forget the past but remember what’s good from it and take it and use it and put it in to play.”
In other swims tonight Youth Olympic representative Michael Mincham (Waterhole, Auckland) claimed honours in the men’s 17-18 years 400m freestyle.
Seventeen year old Millie Macdonald (Parnell, Auckland) and 12 year old Gina McCarthy (ACE, Waikato) both earned their fourth title for the week winning their respective age group divisions in the 200m breaststroke.
McCarthy leads the way in the individual medal table for the women with her four gold, one silver and one bronze.
In the men’s events 13 year old Ikko Shibuya (Laser Mt Eden, Auckland) tops the individual medal tally after adding two more golds tonight in the 400m and 50m freestyle for a total of four gold and one silver medals.
North Shore’s Jacob Garrod was fastest in the men’s 17 -18 years 200m breaststroke in 2:17.22, while in the 12-13 years age group Josh Gilbert claimed honours to pick up his third win of the week.
Mario Koenigsperger (Howick Pakuranga, Counties Manukau) was the men’s 17-18 years 50m freestyle winner in 23.43s.
Michael Pickett (Enterprise, Hawkes Bay) also picked up a New Zealand age group record tonight in the 50m freestyle for 12 years clocking 26.15s.
The competition continues until Saturday 9 May. Heats sessions are from 9am daily with the finals each day from 6pm.
CAPTION: Gabrielle Fa’amausili in action.
The image is free for editorial use. Credit: BW Media
Nz Age Groups
