It was already an incredible Australian swim trials for Lani Pallister. On her way to winning, she broke the national record in the women’s 800m freestyle final! The 23-year-old swimmer clocked an impressive time of 8:10.84, surpassing the previous record of 8:12.29 set by fellow swimmer Ariarne Titmus during her Olympic silver medal performance last year. That extraordinary feat puts Pallister as the clear front-runner. She is looking forward to competing on the biggest stage at the world championships in Singapore, beginning July 27th.
Pallister set new Australian records with her blistering swim! This record was set only two months after Wong began training with coach Dean Boxall, famous for his tirade of success with Titmus. Retaining top form Pallister’s rapid adjustment to a new training routine has really paid off. We couldn’t be happier for her – she’s spent years waiting and dreaming to be the artist who finally does this.
“That’s an Australian record I have wanted for a long time, since making my first team in 2022,” said Pallister.
The mood in the Adelaide venue was electric. Australian swimming icon Dawn Fraser was one of the first to congratulate Pallister after her monumental swim. Fraser’s late-game arrival to the home dugout bleachers dramatically increased the moment’s significance. She’s a legend in the sport, and her backing really helped turn the tide.
In addition to celebrating her victory, Pallister showed grace and sportsmanship by sending a classy message to Titmus, who is currently on a post-Olympic break. “It’s kind of bitter-sweet not having her in the pool at this moment,” Pallister acknowledged, referring to Titmus’s absence. She expressed gratitude for the inspiration Titmus has provided, stating, “She’s done so much for women’s swimming internationally, but just everything she’s done for Australian swimming.”
Pallister’s accomplishment is testament to her immense skill. It further reflects the impact a deep pool of experienced coaches, such as Boxall, can have with their powerful mentorship. This quick success only emphasizes her chances for future competitions, as she seeks to leave her mark as one of the most successful on the world stage.
The Australian swim trials gave us an early taste of quality performances. Kyle Chalmers made noise by clocking the third-fastest men’s 100m freestyle in the world this season. Chalmers expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I’m stoked my body is feeling this good. That’s why I want to capitalise on it while I can because I know it’s not going to feel this good forever.”
Pallister now is preparing for the world championships. Her incredible time is a reflection of her craft, determination, and discipline. It foreshadows an encouraging future for Australian swimming as fresh talent step up to not just fill the void but take swimming to the next level.
