Winning run continues for young Auckland swimmer

Auckland swimmer Bede Aitu made it six wins from seven starts on the penultimate day of the New Zealand Division Two swimming competition at Invercargill.

The 14 year old won 50m backstroke and 400m individual medley for his sixth gold medal and one silver medal at Splash Palace in the competition that has attracted swimmers aged 13-18 years.

He was the only double winner in the boys’ competition yesterday with the swimming talent well spread throughout the country.

Howick Pakuranga 15 year old Reuben McKay earned his sixth medal with a win in the 100m freestyle, with three swimmers share five medals each. Jack Ward (Central Hawkes Bay) won the 15 years 50m backstroke; Callum Sutherland (Selwyn, Canterbury) claimed the 14 years 100m freestyle and Nicholas Lott (Howick Pakuranga) won the 13 years 400m individual medley.

The talent has been shared with 25 boys winning titles so far from 24 different clubs

North Canterbury’s Tamara Gurden enjoyed two wins yesterday in the 17 years 800m and 100m freestyle to take her tally to five medals including four gold to head the girls’ tally.

Pukekohe’s Tanisha Robertson also managed two wins yesterday in the same event for 15 year olds to move to four wins, while Timaru’s Olivia Moore also has four medals in the same age group, after a win in the 200m butterfly today.

They were joined on four individual medals by 14 year old Toni Saunders (Taupo) after she finished third in the 50m backstroke, and Ella Treacy (Wharenui) 16, who won the 200m butterfly.

The Wharenui Swim Club from Christchurch continues to lead the club points on 671 from Howick Pakuranga 580, Te Awamutu 542, Aquagym (Canterbury) 445 and TBSS Central City (Auckland) 405.

NZ Division II