FINA World 25m Swimming Championships - NZ Heats Day 1

Waikato swimmer Matthew Stanley is the first New Zealand swimmer to qualify for a final at the FINA World short Course Swimming championships in Turkey.

The 20 year old from Matamata was fourth fastest in heats on the opening morning of the championships and will swim in the final in the morning (NZ time).

Stanley was the only New Zealand swimmer to qualify for the finals on the first day, setting a personal best in heats of the 200m freestyle. He clocked 1:44.13 to be fourth fastest behind top qualifier, the double Olympic gold medallist and world champion, Ryan Lochte (USA).

It was the first time under the 1:45 barrier for Stanley, who has his main event in the 400m freestyle later in the meet. His endurance base showed out today when he was fastest of all swimmers over the final 100m in 52.15s to give hope that he has more in the tank in the final.

Teenager Ewan Jackson was off his best to be 31st fastest in the same event while his Howick Pakuranga clubmate Corey Main was also outside his entry time to be 26th fastest in heats of the 100m backstroke.

North Shore’s Melissa Ingram was 21st fastest in the heats of the 100m backstroke in 59.36, with a solid second half of the race as she prepares for her favoured 200m backstroke.

The meet continues until Monday (NZ time)

Note: Full wrap and results to follow by 10am tomorrow.

FINA World Championships (25m)