Waikato swimmer continues success across the Tasman

Young Hamilton swimmer Ben Littlejohn continued on his impressive form with a fifth medal on day four of the Victorian Age Championships in Melbourne.

The 14 year old from St Paul’s Swimming was third in the 400m freestyle in 4:21.22 and fifth in the 50m freestyle in 25.79. He has now claimed five medals so far in the championships, with two wins, a second and two third placings, with two further swims remaining.

Eighty-six New Zealand swimmers from 33 clubs are competing in Australia this week at the Queensland Championships and the Victorian Age championships in Melbourne.

Parnell club’s Imogen Rodgers claimed victory in the 15 years 100m backstroke in Melbourne in 1:03.99.

The other podium place getter on Tuesday in Melbourne was Chris Jiang (Howick Pakuranga) who was third in the 11 years 200m breaststroke: 3:00.81, 3^rd.

At the Queensland Championships in Brisbane outstanding Taranaki prospect Joshua Gilbert (Stratford) won the 15 years 100m breaststroke in 1:06.05.

Rio Olympian Emma Robinson (Capital) was third in the open 800m freestyle in 8:40.88 while Manawatu star Mya Rassmussen was second in the 16 years 800m freestyle (9:02.56) and 7^th in the open 200m individual medley (2:20.85).

The competitions continue until the end of the week.

Results, Queensland Championships, Day 3:

Female, Open 800m freestyle: Emma Robinson (Capital) 8:40.88, 3^rd.

16 yrs 800m freestyle: Mya Rasmussen (Kiwi West Aquatics) 9:02.56, 2^nd.

17-18 yrs 800m freestyle: Caitlin Deans (Neptune) 9:10.58, 6^th.

Open 200m backstroke: Sarah O’Connor (Capital) 2:20.74, 6^th; Georgina McCarthy (Hillcrest) 2:23.93, 9^th.

Open 200m individual medley: Mya Rasmussen (Kiwi West Aquatics) 2:20.85, 7^th.

17-18 yrs 200m breaststroke: Ruby Matthews (Otumoetai) 2:45:55, 7^th.

16 yrs 100m backstroke: Maggie Franks (Napier Aquahawks) 1:06.32, 6^th; Vanessa Ouwehand (Te Awamutu) 1:07:06, 7^th.

Male, 15 yrs 100m breaststroke: Joshua Gilbert (Stratford) 1:06.05, 1^st.

16 yrs 100m backstroke: Thomas Wilson (QEII) 1:00.71, 5^th.

16 yrs 1500m freestyle: Paddy Bayliss (Rotorua) 16:26.67, 4^th.

17-18yrs 1500m freestyle: Nicholas Pryde (Neptune) 16:31.23, 5^th; Devlin Forsythe (Capital) 16:47.07, 7^th; Thomas Raymond (Matamata) 16:54.05, 8^th; Sean Aitchison (Capital) 17:05.90, 9^th.

Victorian Age Championships, Day 4:

Female, 15 yrs 100m backstroke: Imogen Rodgers (Parnell) 1:03.99, 1^st.

13 yrs 200m butterfly: Milla Theobald (Swim Rotorua) 2:32.85, 5^th

14 yrs 400m freestyle: Lucy North (Aquabladz) 4:38.28, 6^th.

Male, 11 yrs 200m breaststroke: Chris Jiang (Howick Pakuranga) 3:00.81, 3^rd.

14 yrs 50m freestyle: Ben Littlejohn (St Paul’s) 25.79, 5^th.

17-18 yrs 200m medley: Andrew Jeffcoat (Fairfield) 2:13.76, 9^th.

14 yrs 400m freestyle: Ben Littlejohn (St Pauls) 4:21.22, 3^rd