Zoe Arancini continues WA water polo legacy with second Games selection

Water polo star Zoe Arancini is heading to a second Olympic Games after being selected to the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo.

29-year-old Arancini has been a stalwart of the Aussie Stingers since 2013, winning medals at the 2013 and 2019 World Championships as well as World Cup bronze.

The 13-strong team includes a mix of youth and experience, with Arancini joined by fellow Olympians Bronwen Knox, in her fourth Games, captain Rowie Webster, Keesja Gofers, Hannah Buckling and Lea Yanitsas. While Elle Armit, Bronte Halligan, Lena Mihailovic, Gabriella Palm, Amy Ridge, Matilda Kearns and Abby Andrews.

Since being introduced at the Sydney Games in 2000, WA has had a player on the team in every Games, and Arancini continues the legacy, with eyes on adding a fourth medal for Australia in six Games.

20 Western Australian athletes have been selected to the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo across, sailing, artistic swimming, archery, cycling, canoe, shooting, athletics, boxing and water polo.

Chef de Mission of the Australian Olympic Team Ian Chesterman congratulated the players on their selection. 

“These are a tight knit, committed group of athletes who have shown incredible determination to make it through the trials of the pandemic to secure their spot in representing their country at this Olympic Games,” Mr Chesterman said.

“I congratulate them all and thank not only the athletes but all the coaching and support staff that have supported them on this incredible road to Tokyo.”

Head coach Predrag Mihailovic said the team was united in their goals for Tokyo.

“I’m very proud of the team selected, it was a hard decision,” Mihailovic said. “We have a very good culture with individuals having their own goals and team goals. We are on the right track as a united group, we are getting comfortable in uncomfortable situations.” 

“There is a really great atmosphere in the team at the moment, in the last block of training there was plenty of hard training with the girls responding well. I am happy where we are, our preparations are the best they can be in these circumstances.”