Budapest World Short Course: Day 3 Heats Wrap

PURPOSE.

And for this meet Elijah Winnington (pictured) is finishing his stellar 2024 swimming season with an impetus for creating change.

The Olympic silver medallist and Dolphins team leader qualified fastest for tonight’s 400m final of the World Short Course Championships in Budapest with a personal best of 3:37.22 at Duna Arena.

After a year which included his 400m free silver, a relay bronze in Paris, and some new ink “PURPOSE”, Winnington is still leading from the front – in and out of the pool – in a new-look Dolphins senior team boasting nine rookies.

Speaking after his heat, Winnington said: “I am trying to make the most of my swimming career which is why I wanted to come and do this meet – I love representing Australia and I know it won’t last forever. When you become an Olympic individual medallist you automatic qualify for this meet.”

“So I wanted to give it a shot, no matter what shape I am in. Obviously I peaked for the Olympics but I wanted to come here and just race. Racing is the essence of sport … just putting your hand on the wall first.

“And this is a very special team. We have so many rookies and as a team leader I am loving being around their energy. Today one of our rookies (Milla Jansen) said ‘oh are you racing today? I thought you were here just as our mentor’ … and that was a pretty special moment for me.

“Of course I want to race well for myself but I also want to give the rookies the best experience they can have on their first senior international team.”

Also qualifying for tonight’s finals were Australia’s 4x200m free relay team (Leah Neale, Lani Pallister, Milla Jansen and Tara Kinder),and Lizzy Dekkers and Bella Grant in the women’s 200m fly. Jansen will also race in the 100m women’s free final tonight after qualifying yesterday.

Pallister, whose sensational 2024 Budapest campaign has already garnered three medals, was given a special shout out after her gold-medal swim in the women’s 800m yesterday from swimming legend Dawn Fraser.

Fraser was released from Sunshine Coast Hospital today nine days a fall that left the 87-year-old in ICU with a broken hip and broken ribs and had a special message for Lani and her mother Janelle, a team coach at this meet, after Lani won Australia’s first gold medal of the meet.

“That’s my god daughter Lani…I was with you all the way kiddo…and so proud of you and mum and coach Janelle….can’t wait to see you when you get home,” Fraser said.

Watch all the action live and free with final sessions from 3.30am AEDT on Nine.

World Short Course Day 3 Heats Results (Q = qualified for finals)

Women’s 50m Backstroke 
Iona Anderson 26.56 Q #11

Men’s 50m Backstroke 
Isaac Cooper 23.01 Q #4

Women’s 200m Butterfly 
Lizzy Dekkers 2:04.34 Q #5
Bella Grant 2:05.53 Q #8

Men’s 200m Butterfly 
Harrison Turner 1:53.38 (Did not qualify)

Women’s 100m Individual Medley
Iona Anderson 1:00.06 (Did not qualify)

Men’s 400m Freestyle 
Elijah Winnington 3:37.22 Q #1

Women’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay
Leah Neale, Lani Pallister, Milla Jansen & Tara Kinder 7:41.76 Q #5