Six to watch at 2026 Aus MC Age Champs

Easter Saturday doubles as Day 1 of the Australian MC Age Championships with hot chances to wear the Australian gold cap at this year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games hitting the water.

MC Age acts as the curtain raiser for the biggest swimming event on the Australian calendar with more than 3500 athletes, including current and future Dolphins, lining up across the 2026 Australian Open + Age Championships at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

Day 1’s racing features:

Declan Budd | Knox Pymble, NSW

Declan (pictured), 18, is an MC Age entered athlete to proudly have a Dolphins’ pin next to his name. He became Dolphin #P329 when he was selected for the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships Australian Senior Dolphins Team. Growing up, Declan’s idols included fellow S14 classified Dolphins Jack Ireland and Ben Hance but since his breakout year in 2025 he is now considered a rising threat when racing against them.

Mia Hogan | Corowa AS & LSC, NSW

It’s hard to believe it’s only been a year since Mia Hogan made her international racing debut at 12 years of age at the 2024 World Para Series in Melbourne. Since then, the visually impaired athlete from Albury has rapidly risen through the ranks and claimed a haul of medals, including nine golds at last year’s Age Championships. Mia’s impressive times, even at 14 years of age, mark her as one of the strongest contenders to make the Commonwealth Games team in her S13 classification.

Beau Matthews | AquaBlitz Toongabbie, NSW

The 17-year-old athlete from Como in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire trains at AquaBlitz Toongabbie under coach Gavin Stewart. He had had a standout season in 2025, setting 16 national age records and bringing his total to 58 national age records across long and short course events. Beau is also a recipient of the Commonwealth Games Australia Kurt Fearnley Scholarship and is a strong chance to earn selection for the Glasgow team.

Gemma Sellick | Warringah Aquatic, NSW

Representing Warringah Aquatic, Gemma Sellick has made significant strides nationally and has her sights set on LA 2028. Her haul from last year’s championships in Brisbane included two gold and three silver medals. At the recent World Para Series on the Gold Coast in February, the 16-year-old S9 swimmer fast tracked her Dolphins debut prospects, swimming under the qualifying times for the Glasgow Games.

Liam Togher | Knox Pymble, NSW

Liam Togher, 17, returns to the Gold Coast pool after picking up four medals – including two golds – at his first international competition in February. His performances at the World Para Series also put Glasgow Commonwealth Games selectors on notice, particularly in the 100m backstroke. The S9 swimmer claimed five golds at last year’s national age championships in Brisbane.

Victoria Belando Nicholson | Yeronga Park, QLD

Born without a fibular in her left leg, making it 14cm shorter than the right, Victoria, 18, started competitive swimming in 2023 at Yeronga Park, where she trained alongside world champion Rowan Crothers. Since then, the S9 swimmer has steadily climbed the ranks, becoming a consistent member of national development squads and on international touring teams. Victoria is shortlisted to make her Dolphins debut this year at the Commonwealth Games following her impressive performances in the women’s 100m backstroke.

Classifications Explained

• S1-S10 for athletes with physical impairments.
• S11-S13 for athletes with visual impairments.
• S14 for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Watch Para Swimming Classifications 101 as explained by our 2025 World Para Championships Dolphins.

The Australian MC Age Championships will be held at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre from April 4-6. Heats start 9am AEST. Finals from 6pm AEST.

Tickets to the action available via Ticketek or stream live and free on 9Now.