Queensland swimmers dominate the Aussie team headed to FINA World Championships

Queensland’s elite swimmers have dominated the field at the 2015 Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships and will make up the bulk of the Australian team at the World Championships.

“Queensland swimmers have excelled, with 28 making the team of 38 that will head to Kazan in Russia for the 2015 FINA World Championships,” Minister for Sport and Racing Bill Byrne said.

“I want to congratulate all the Queenslanders who took part in the Australian Championships in Sydney. They have certainly done their state proud with a remarkable effort.

“When you think that Queensland swimmers have secured 74% of the spots available on the Australian Dolphins team, this result is simply outstanding,’ Minister Byrne said.

“I would also like to acknowledge the time and effort put in by the many coaches, support teams and families, who are providing support and assistance poolside throughout the year.

“Without the time, support and sacrifices made by these people, our athlete’s jobs would certainly be a lot harder’” Mr Byrne said.

“Our Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) athletes did not disappoint with Cate Campbell and Christian Sprenger being given the chance to defend their world titles, Emily Seebohm setting a new Commonwealth, Australian and All-comers records with a time of 27.47 in the women’s 50 metre backstroke final, and Mitch Larkin swimming a new personal best of 53.10 in the men’s 100 metre backstroke final, which tied him equal second in Australian all time rankings.

A further 30 athletes, eight of whom are Queenslanders, have also been selected to represent the nation at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships in Glasgow.

Queensland Paralympians Blake Cochrane and Brenden Hall swam blistering times that would have ranked them as world number one in 2014.

Making his fourth world championship team, Cochrane exceeded expectations and set a new World Record for S8 classification athletes, with a time of1:17.26 and earning 1022 points in the men’s multi class 100m breaststroke.

Minister Byrne said the meet provided an exciting preview of what’s to come for the Australian team in 2015.

“As we look towards the Rio Olympics in 2016 and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, I am looking forward to cheering on our swimming stars as they take on the best in the world.”

Queensland Athletes on the Australian Dolphins Swim Team for the 2015 World Championships

Queensland Athletes on the Australian Dolphins Swim Team for the 2015 IPC World Championships