18 Commonwealth Games Australia alumni are bound for the World Para Swimming Championships in July, following a sensational four days of competition.
Following the completion of Australian Swimming Championships at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, a 26-person team has been announced to represent Australia at the upcoming championships.
The Australian Dolphins squad will feature Birmingham 2022 medalists including Tim Hodge, Benjamin Hance, Jasmine Greenwood, and Katja Dedekind.
Four-time Games medallist Hodge will be looking to defend his World Title in the 200m IM SM9, after breaking his own world record twice in one day.
Making their Australian Dolphins debut is 19-year-old Poppy Wilson (Brisbane) and 21-year-old Alexa Leary (Sunshine Coast).
Alex Saffy, a 2022 Commonwealth Games Australia Emerging Athlete of the Month, has also been named to the squad that is set to compete in July.
Recently appointed Head Coaches of the Australian Dolphins Paralympic team, Kate Sparkes and Harley Connolly, are both excited for the depth of talent the team boasts for the World Championships.
Connolly said he’s very happy with the performances he’s seen from the squad at the Australian Championships.
“I’m really impressed with how the swimmers have shaped up and put their bodies on the line to get themselves on the Australian Team,” said Connolly.
With just under 500 days to go until the Paris Paralympics, Connolly said the team is tracking well.
“Really excited on how the team is swimming, especially the upcomers who are just behind the guys who have made the team this year. It’s really exciting to see the young kids who are pushing the older ones up and it’s making everyone better.
“The team motto we have is ‘better people make a better team’ that’s really improving from everyone’s swimming,” he said.
With plenty of depth in the team Sparkes said there is a lot to be excited about and she said one to watch will be Tim Hodge.
“Tim Hodge is going to be the busiest swimmer at the meet competing in five individual events and potentially two relays… he’s definitely one to watch out for,” she said.
The 2023 World Para Swimming Championships will be held in Manchester, UK from 31 July to 6 August.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Jesse Aungles | Cruiz |
| Emily Beecroft | USC Spartans |
| Ricky Betar | Cruiz |
| Rowan Crothers | Yeronga Park |
| Katja Dedekind | Yeronga Park |
| Tom Gallagher | Sommerset |
| Jasmine Greenwood | Cruiz |
| Breden Hall | USC Spartans |
| Ben Hance | St Andrews |
| Tim Hodge | ACU Blacktown |
| Jack Ireland | UQ |
| Ella Jones* | Kincumber |
| Jenna Jones | USC Spartans |
| Ahmed Kelly | Yarra Plenty |
| Alexa Leary | St Hildas |
| Paige Leonhardt | USC Spartans |
| Will Martin | Chandler |
| Madeleine McTernan | All Saints |
| Jake Michel | Carina |
| Lakeisha Patterson | USC Spartans |
| Col Pearse | Nunawading |
| Alex Saffy | Bunbury |
| Keira Stephens | Southport |
| Ruby Storm | St Andrews |
| Rachel Watson | Chandler |
| Poppy Wilson | Yeronga Park |
*Subject to classification
Alex Saffy named Emerging Athlete of the Month
Birmingham Para-swimming silver medallist Alex Saffy is the Commonwealth Games Australia emerging athlete of the month for August.
