Throssell Wins 200m Fly at Australian Selection Trials

Brianna Throssell has qualified a second individual swim at next month’s World Championships in Korea after she claimed victory in the 200m fly final at the Australian Selection Trials in Brisbane.

Having already booked a berth in the 100m fly earlier in the week, Throssell had followed that effort up with a fourth place swim in the women’s 200m freestyle final which is likely to earn the 23 year-old a spot in the Dolphins’ relay team.

On night four, she returned as fastest seed in the 200m fly final and produced a gutsy effort to lead home in 2:07.39, which was under the required world championship qualifying time.

Throssell was elated with her efforts and pleased that a measured race plan had delivered for her under selection pressure.

“I knew I had to try and relax in that first 100m as much as I can otherwise I knew I wouldn’t be coming home in that last 50,” she said post-race.

“I have been doing a lot of fly work, especially for the 200m, the aim was actually to help the 100m but I thought why not race it here and see how I go.

“It is super exciting to be on for both the 100m and 200m under qualifying time, I am really happy with that.”

WA champion Blair Evans also entered her final as fastest qualifier, and carried that form onto victory in the women’s 400m IM.

Evans – who has competed for Australia at every major competition level – touched home in 4:40.40 but was outside the automatic qualifying time of 4:37.14.

Emerging teen star Ashton Brinkworth went head to head with the nation’s fastest in the final of the men’s 100m freestyle, and the 19 year-old gained valuable race experience with an eighth placed swim of 49.58.

Reigning Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers toasted in Brisbane, winning in a thoroughly dominant 47.35, which suggests he’s on pace for a shot at the world championship title in Korea.

In Thursday morning heats, Throssell was back in the thick of it, qualifying sixth fastest (54.73) for tonight’s women’s 100m freestyle final. She will be joined in the showpiece final by fellow West Aussie Holly Barratt (55.14).

Cate Campbell (52.87) and Emma McKeon (53.08) are set for an absorbing battle for bragging rights this evening, with the country’s 4x100m relay team spots also certain to capture interest.

21 year-old Rockingham Swimming Club member Kevin Kalemeber has earned himself a second finals appearance, he’ll race in the men’s 200m backstroke final this evening as eighth seed.