Nash Hawkins has etched his name into the record books, breaking Zac Stubblety-Cook's long-standing 200m breaststroke mark at the NSW State Open Championships. The 21-year-old swimmer clocked a stunning time of 2:07.85, surpassing the previous record of 2:08.34 set by the Olympic gold medalist in 2019.
Hawkins' Historic Swim
Hawkins, who trains under coach Dean Boxall at the St Peters Western Swim Club, produced a powerful performance in the final. He touched the wall first, shaving nearly half a second off Stubblety-Cook's record. The time also ranks Hawkins among the fastest in Australian history over the distance.
Speaking after the race, Hawkins expressed his delight: "It's an incredible feeling to break Zac's record. He's been a huge inspiration for me, and to see my name next to his in the record books is surreal."
Ciara Nixon's Stellar Performance
In the women's events, Ciara Nixon continued her impressive form, winning multiple races. The 19-year-old claimed victory in the 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, and 100m butterfly, showcasing her versatility and speed. Nixon's time of 54.12 seconds in the 100m freestyle was a personal best.
Nixon, a rising star from the Sydney University Swim Club, credited her success to hard work and determination. "I've been putting in the hours in training, and it's paying off. I'm excited to see what I can achieve this season," she said.
Other Notable Results
- In the men's 100m backstroke, Tom Smith took gold with a time of 54.89 seconds.
- Emily Johnson dominated the women's 200m individual medley, finishing in 2:12.45.
- The men's 4x100m freestyle relay team from St Peters Western broke the meet record.
The championships, held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, attracted top swimmers from across the state. With the Australian Trials approaching, performances like Hawkins' and Nixon's set a high benchmark for the rest of the season.
