Dolphins Open Water team named for World Championships

Swimming Australia is proud to announce the Australian Dolphins team to contest the Open Water component of the 2022 FINA World Championships in Hungary.

Queensland athletes Moesha Johnson, Chelsea Gubecka, Finella Gibbs-Beal, Nicholas Sloman and Bailey Armstrong will be joined by West Australian Kyle Lee in the six person team.

The team was selected following performances at the recent Australian Open Water Championships at Brighton Beach in South Australia.

Swimming Australia’s State Technical Lead, Mel Tantrum, has been appointed Head Coach of the Open Water team and will be supported by Team Coaches Janelle Pallister, Harley Connolly and Robert Van der Zant.

Reigning Open Water Coach of the Year, John Rodgers, will also provide support to the team of coaches and athletes as a non-travelling Team Coach.

Swimming Australia High Performance Director, Tamara Sheppard, congratulated the athletes and coaches on their selection and believes the team are primed for a strong performance in Hungary.

“We’ve taken great momentum from our performances in the Open Water events at the Tokyo Olympics and what is most pleasing about this team is the depth of talent as we build to Paris,” Sheppard said.

“There were some strong swims at the Nationals in Adelaide and we certainly anticipate that standard to continue to rise, both in the training environment, and when it comes time to perform in Hungary.”

In the women’s events, Johnson will contest both the five and 10km races, swimming alongside Gubecka in the 10km and Gibbs-Beal in the 5k.

Similarly for the men, Sloman is set to swim both the five and 10km events, with Armstrong to focus on the 10km and Lee the 5k.

Tantrum believes the blend of experience and youth will be an asset to the team.

“It’s a great opportunity to mix with the world’s best on the world stage just two years out from the Paris Olympics,” Tantrum said.  

“There’s a great mix of experienced athletes like Chelsea, a rising star like Nick and rookies like Moesha, Kyle and Finella, all of whom will be aiming for strong performances at these World Championships.”

“It is an exciting time for these athletes and coaches, and a chance for the Australian Dolphins to showcase their talents internationally for the first time since Tokyo”.

The 2022 FINA World Championships will commence on June 18 in Budapest, Hungary.

Australian Dolphins Open Water 2022 FINA World Championships team: