Australian swimmer Jessica Ashwood broke the Australian and Oceanian records in the women’s 400 free in the finals of the 2015 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia, this evening.
Ashwood swam a 4:03.34, which was 4.21 seconds behind the winning time of 3:59.13 posted by world record holder Katie Ledecky of the United States, but good enough to earn the bronze medal and to set the aforementioned records. She was only in fifth after the first 100m, but took over third by the halfway point, and did not relinquish her place for the rest of the race.
The Australian and Oceanian records previously belonged to Kylie Palmer, who swam a 4:03.40 during the 2012 Australian Olympic Trials. Palmer was unable to repeat that time in the Olympics that year, swimming a 4:07.27 to place 11th in preliminaries.
While the Australian men have a track record of success in this event, with Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe having routinely captured medals, Ashwood’s bronze here is the first world championships medal in the women’s 400 free for an Australian women since Hayley Lewis in 1991, according to the Australian Swim Team Twitter account.
The Oceania Swimming Association is one of FINA’s continental governing bodies, and includes 13 member federations, including Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, as well as ten other island nations or territories.
Well done Jessica from the International Society of Swimming Coaching. You have proven yet again you are one of the best in the world. Swimming the 400m, 800m 1500m at the World Championships demonstrates who are one of the best distance swimmers in the world and that you are the best Australian distance swimmers.
All your swimming over the last 5 years has been impressive and you are one great Australian Swimmer.
ISOSC TEAM
Some major cudos to Jess Ashwood not only for 2 PBs in the one day but also making the final and then not being overawed by the occasion.
This is a major step forward for Ashwood who’s previous international form-line back through last years GC & PanPacs, 2013 Worlds to 2012 Olympics had been anything but impressive. Here’s hoping this may continue as AUS women’s distance freestyle has had a number of false hopes in recent years.