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Fifth Gold For Chalmers, 14, on 1:53

Apr 13, 2013  - Craig Lord

Kyle Chalmers, the 14-year-old who clocked historic times of 23.17 and 50.86 in the 50 and 100m free at Aussie age championships in Adelaide, concluded his youth-meet campaign with a fifth solo gold in 1:53.48 in the 200m freestyle.

Out in 25.97 and 55.27 at the half-way mark, he turned into the last 50m in on 1:25.12, his last three laps 29.30, 29.85 and 28.36. Impressive, though the all-comers record for the age group Down Under is held by a certain Ian Thorpe, on 1:50.07 on the eve of worldwide fame back in 1997. The silver today went to Matthew Wilson in 1:56.22, bronze to Jacob Taylor in 1:57.76.

Shayna Jack, 14 and racing for Chandler, was equally impressive as Chalmers today as the championships drew to a close. She clocked 2:00.99, more than 3sec ahead of the rest, to win the 200m free, going through in 26.77, 57.32 (30.55), 1:28.99 (31.67) and coming home in 32.00.

At a meet where age standards have impressed all week long across the board, 12-year-old Minna Atherton, of Brisbane Grammar, went out in 31.10 down the first lap of the 100m backstroke and stopped the clock on 1:03.86 (32.76) for gold in the 12-13 age group ahead of a line-up a year older.

In the top age range, Alex Graham, 17 and St Grahams, clocked 49.11 in prelims of the 100m free and then took the crown in 49.43 (23.63, 25.80) ahead of Luke Percy, also inside 50, on 49.71 (24.07, 25.64) for silver, Regan Leong the first one home over 50, on 50.28.

The girls's 100m went to Yolane Kukla, in 55.34 ahead of Alexandra Purcell, 55.77, and Kotuku Ngawati, 56.18. Some of those in the top age range are heading towards senior world-title trials at the end of the month.