Day 4 Wrap at the World Aquatics Championships
The New Zealand 4x100m Mixed Medley Team has smashed the New Zealand record at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
Helena Gasson (backstroke), Josh Gilbert (breaststroke), Hazel Ouwehand (butterfly) and Carter Swift (freestyle) combined in the medley, posting a time of 3:49.26s to beat the previous record by more than 4-seconds.
“It’s really awesome to have smashed a NZ Record with some of my teammates,” said Ouwehand.
“I think we did a really good job working together and configuring the race. My butterfly felt relatively good, better than it did in my 100 individual (and faster!) which is both cool for the team, but of course tough for myself.”
Helena Gasson says breaking the record was bittersweet as the previous record was set by her Coast club team earlier in the year.
“We knew it was in our wheelhouse it was just a matter of how much we were going to break it by and how close we could get to the finals,” said Gasson.
“I’ve felt really strong both mentally and physically at these world champs. The 100 Back is a new event for me so I’m grateful that I got the opportunity to lead off the team and get more experience on the international stage.”
Meanwhile Lewis Clareburt bowed out in the semi-finals of the 200m Individual Medley.
The Capital Swim Club athlete qualified fifth for the semi-final but was unable to keep up with the pack, clocking 1:58.01s to finish in 12th.
Earlier in the day Cameron Gray began his campaign, competing in the 100m Freestyle. Gray swam 48.43s to just miss finals qualification but secure his place in the top 20 in the world, placing 19th overall.
“I felt quite relaxed in the 100m free, I just loosened up and focused on racing the field which brought out the best in me,” said Gray.
“It feels awesome to have come from probably not even near top 70 in the world a few months ago in the 100 free to finish 19th.”
The action continues today with Chelsea Edwards in the 100m Freestyle, Joshua Gilbert in the 200m Breaststroke and Andrew Jeffcoat in the 200m Backstroke.
Caitlin Deans, Erika Fairweather, Eve Thomas and Summer Osborne are also in the pool, combining in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay.
The full Aquablacks World Aquatics schedule is available here.
And make sure you follow Swimming NZ on Instagram and Facebook for all the behind-the-scenes info.
Aquablacks Team
Lewis Clareburt (#257) Capital Swim Club
· 200, 400 IM
· 100, 200 Butterfly
· 4x100 Medley Relay
Chelsey Edwards (#265) Coast Swim Club
· 100 Freestyle
· 4x100 Mixed Free Relay
Erika Fairweather (#266) Neptune Swim Club
· 200, 400, 800 Freestyle
· 4x200 Free Relay
· 4x100 Mixed Free Relay
Michael Pickett (#268) Club 37
· 50 Freestyle
Zac Reid (#269) Neptune Swim Club
· 200, 400 Freestyle
Eve Thomas (#270) Coast Swim Club
· 400, 800, 1500 Freestyle
· 4x200 Free Relay
Caitlin Deans (#276) Neptune Swim Club
· 1500 Freestyle
· 4x200 Free Relay
Cameron Gray (#277) Coast Swim Club
· 50 Butterfly
· 100 Freestyle
· 4x100 Medley Relay
· 4x100 Mixed Free Relay
Andrew Jeffcoat (#279) Club 37
· 50m, 100m, 200m Backstroke
· 4x100 Medley Relay
Helena Gasson (#250) Coast
· 50m Butterfly
· 100m Backstroke
Carter Swift (#282) Club 37
· 4x100 Mixed Free Relay
Hazel Ouwehand (#283) Phoenix Aquatics
· 50m Butterfly
Joshua Gilbert - Club 37
· 50, 100, 200 Breast
· 4x100 Medley Relay
Luan Grobbelaar - Neptune
· 400m Individual Medley
Summer Osborne - North Shore
· 4x200 Free Relay
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