Source : ABC NEWS
Paralympic hero Alexa Leary has done it once, breaking the S9 100m free world history at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre on Tuesday to declare the multi-class platinum at the Australian Open Championships.
Both of Leary’s dives were faster than her past earth record that she set in Paris, the fastest coming in the morning’s burns with a spectacular 59. 22.
Leary had half broken the earth level in a single day at the Paris La Défense Arena in last year’s Games.
And although she could hardly get back-to-back again at the Australian Open Championships on Tuesday, swimming 0. 10 minute slower in the last than in the night heats, it was still sufficiently for her to say gold.
” Ohh seriously I felt so good,” Leary said after the race.
” I was like, really so comfortable on this one.
” I know all the hard job I’ve been doing since the Paris Games and all, I was like, come in! You got to take something home!
Alexa Leary powered down the second 50. (Supplied: Swimming Australia/Delly Carr)
” I was truly, truly comfortable for this one. “
After her beautiful day float, the 23-year-old needed some encouraging that she had, in truth, bettered her old level of 59. 53.
” I’m no hundred per cent certain, but I hope it was a good one,”” Leary said in her own, indomitably emphatic manner on pool.
” Was it? Did I really beat my history? Did I really?
” Yes! That’s a great back-end rate as well. “
Alexa Leary could not believe she had broken the world record. (Supplied: Swimming Australia/Delly Carr)
Leary vowed to “do it once” in the night’s last, just as she did in Paris.
But although she fell just short, it was still a mighty amazing snorkel and stands her in great stead for future challenges at the World Championships in Singapore and Commonwealth Games in 2026.
Leary became the darling of American swimming when she qualified for the Paris Paralympics, melting souls with her personal response to qualifying at the Olympic Studies in Brisbane,
A budding swimmer, Leary spent six months in hospital after crashing her vehicle at 75kmh during a coaching ride on the Sunshine Coast in 2021.
Landing on her head, surgeons had to replace part of Leary’s bones to keep her existence, with the then-teenager breaking some bones and puncturing her heart in the accident.
But Leary has since become a global army in par swimming.
” Every day I challenge myself with the swimming,” Leary said.
” It is a huge issue. Every time I have a contest within myself and being here for citizens, I was quite comfortable and determined to get it done.
” I actually needed it. It’s my occasion. It’s my number one and I don’t leave anything in the pond.
” I was like, arrive on Lex. “
McKeown blitzes area with earth leading time
Kaylee McKeown was just half a second outside the world record. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
In time two’s different situations, Kaylee McKeown obliterated a high-quality area to win the children’s 100m freestyle in 57. 65, only 0. 32 moments outside her own American history.
McKeown beat out MollieO’Callaghan ( 59. 23 ) into second place, with Hannah Fredericks third ( 1:00. 41 ).
The day, only 0. 52 outside Regan Smith’s world history, was the fastest time in the world this time.
Olympic gold medallist Meg Harris claimed the children’s 50m subject in a great 24. 57, away of Alexandra Perkins ( 25. 00 ), MollieO’Callaghan ( 25. 01 ) and Shayna Jack ( 25. 13 ).
In the people’s 200m backstroke, Max Giuliani beat out a high quality discipline to say gold in a time of 1:47. 03.
Max Giuliani had to dig deep to hold on for victory in the 200m free. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
” I got the get, so I can’t really complain. I mean that’s why I do this, to gain,” Giuliani told ABC Sport.
” The day wasn’t quite what I had hoped, but it’s a little touch and go at the time, I’m just back from America for level station so the brain’s also freshening up after that. “
Giuiliani beat a high-class field including Ed Sommerville ( 1:47. 87 ), New Zealander Lewis Clareburt ( 1:47. 95 ), Italian Thomas Ceccon ( 1:47. 97 ) and Elijah Winnington ( 1:48. 18 ).
” I love racing, that’s why I do this.
” Racing and to beat those kids, as you said, it’s really a solid area, it’s a wonderful indication and I’m excited for testing. “
Brittany Castelluzzo won the children’s 200m butterfly in a personal best day of 2:06. 86 from Abbey Connor ( 2:08. 79 ), while Ella Ramsay claimed gold in the 100m swimming in 1:07. 80, avenging her battle in the 400m mix earlier in the session to Tara Kinder.
Brittany Castelluzzo won the 200m butterfly. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
American history owner Isaac Cooper claimed success in the 50m freestyle with a burning day of 24. 80, and said he had been in a state of “bliss” since finding out that the 50m injury activities may be including in the LA Games.
And at the other end of the distance range, Ben Goedemans claimed a strong 1,500m win in a time of 14:47. 75.
Jasmin Greenwood ( S10 ) defended her title in the multi class 100m backstroke, while Tim Hodge ( S9 ) earned victory in the men’s discipline.
In the men’s multi-class 100m free, three-time Paralympian Rowan Crothers ( S10 ) held off strong competition from Nicholas Layton ( S15 ) to claim the Australian title for the seventh year in a row.
” Seven titles in a row is sensational, but I’m not about trying to beat other Aussies,” six-time Paralympic medallist Crothers said.
” It really is all about trying to represent Australia for me.
” I think it’s amazing to see the races are getting a lot closer. We’re seeing, not just a lot of other fast swimmers, but we’re seeing more classes.
” Getting to race guys like Nick Layton, although he’s not eligible for the Australian Paralympic team, he is a bloody fast deaf swimmer, and to be able to go toe to toe with him, it’s just so much fun.
” I love racing in Australia, I love getting pushed to my limits by the other Aussies because that’s just going to make all of us better once it comes to World Championships and then Paralympics. “
