Background
Gabrielle Fa’amausili was born October 17, 1999 in Auckland, New Zealand, where she currently resides. She trains with the United Swimming Club under Coach Igor Polianski.
Early Success
When Gabrielle was just 10 years old, writer John Landigan wrote in the Aucklander (news from the Auckland, New Zealand region) to remember her name. As a 10 year old, she broke a 15 year old Auckland record for the girls’ 50M backstroke, as well as regional records in the 50m breaststroke, 100m backstroke and the 50m freestyle. She became the first Aucklander to break 30 seconds in the 50m freestyle.
National/International Competition
In 2013 at the FINA World Junior Championships, held in Dubai, Gabrielle introduced herself to international competition by winning the girls’ 50m backstroke with a time of 28.14, eclipsing the old New Zealand record by .25.
In August 2015, Gabrielle won four titles at the New Zealand Short Course Championships. She followed up these wins with successfully defending her title in the 50m backstroke at the FINA World Junior Championships in Singapore. Her 27.81 swim was the eighth fastest time in the World and marked the first time she swam under 28 seconds.
At the end of 2015, Gabrielle was ranked as the 16th fastest 50m backstroker in the world, and the fastest representing New Zealand.