Gichard Shines on the First Day of the World Junior Championships

Bobbie Gichard was the only Kiwi to progress beyond the heats on the first morning of competition, qualifying for the 100m backstroke semifinal in 12th position. 

In the evening session the Greendale club swimmer was the fastest 13 year old in the event, but not quite quick enough to gain a place in the final against swimmers up to four years older. Gichard stopped the clock in a time of 1:02.91 to finish 13th, just outside her personal best time and New Zealand age group record of 1:02.49.

Michael Mincham took to the pool for the 400m freestyle heats in a tough field. Swimming through the first 100m in 56 seconds, he then consistently split 60 seconds for every 100m, finishing with a time of 3:57.87 in 21st place.

Laser Mt Eden swimmer Gabrielle Fa’amausili also finished 21st in the 100m backstroke. The 13 year old clocked 1:03.97 in a well split race that saw her turn with a 50m split time of 30.64.

Day two action sees Bradlee Ashby compete in the 200m individual medley and Fa’amausili in heats of the 100m freestyle.