PBs for NZ as Gibson Books Finals Spot

Day 4 Wrap of the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships

New Zealand’s Izzie Gibson and Milan Glintmeyer have been forced to swim off against each other in a strange turn of events at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships.

United Swim Club’s Gibson and Kiwi West Aquatics Glintmeyer were the only Kiwis in the pool on day four of competition, both racing in the 50m Backstroke.

In a bizarre turn of events Gibson and Glintmeyer tied for 16th place in their heats, both recording the exact time of 29.41s, with an all-Kiwi swim off required to determine who would advance to the semis.

The swim off was neck and neck with both athletes recording PBs but Gibson just sneaking ahead to finish in 29.00s to Glintmeyer’s 29.05s.

"The swim-off was amazing. I couldn’t believe it when I saw that we both had the same time in the heats," said Gibson.

"I’m so glad it was both of us in the swim-off so we could have that experience together. I'm pretty stoked with both times. I mean, getting a personal best in a fifty is quite good, let alone taking almost a second off my time. I'm just really happy with the swim and I'm so proud of myself and Milan."

"I loved that swim-off. It was a great experience," added Glintmeyer.

"When I saw the result from the heats, I was just like, no matter what happens in the swim-off, I’m so proud of Isabelle and I’m so proud of myself for both doing so well in the heats. There was such a long wait time between the heats and the swim-off and lots of time to deal with nerves, so to swim faster again after waiting around for such a long time, it’s just amazing. I am so proud of both of us."

The result saw Gibson advance to the semi-final where she again set a PB, posting 28.83s to book her spot in the final, to be contested overnight NZT.

Day five will see Gibson joined by four other New Zealand athletes in the pool. Glintmeyer will be back in action, contesting the 100m Butterfly. Zoe Pederson and Summer Osborne will then get their shot over the sprint distance 50m Freestyle, with endurance swimmer Brooke Bennett to race the grueling 1500m Freestyle.