Lewis Clareburt of New Zealand competes in the Men's Open 400m Individual Medley Heats at the 2024 Australian Open Swimming Championships, Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Australia on Saturday 20 April 2024. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Top Kiwi swimmer Lewis Clareburt is failing to hit his targets while training for the World Aquatics Championships, but he doesn't mind.
It might not sound like a winning plan, but there is a reason for the anomalous approach.
Clareburt, 26, and coach Mitch Nairn are trying a different philosophy in the build-up to a major championship after their experience at the Paris Olympics last year, in which Clareburt finished sixth in the final of his specialist event, the 400 metres individual medley.
"Leading into Paris last year I was swimming really well every single day, but this year it hasn't been as consistent and I think mentally it has made me a little bit stronger because I am failing more often that not, which has been really cool," Clareburt said.
"Mitch has been giving me sets that sometimes are harder than I can handle. Sometimes I can't physically make it or hit the times I would like to hit. We have been trying to find ways in which I can test myself differently."
Clareburt said his preparation this time has been different, with a stint in Europe before his final training at home.
"The prep is going well and I am excited to be heading to Singapore."
Clareburt (Club 37 in Auckland) and Erika Fairweather (North Shore) spearhead a New Zealand team of 12 swimmers at the world champs in Singapore, with pool events starting on 27 July. They won New Zealand's first world titles at the 2024 champs in Doha, Clareburt in the men's 400m IM and Fairweather in the women's 400m freestyle.
Clareburt will come up against French swimming sensation Léon Marchand in the 400m IM, which is held on the final day in the pool on 3 August.
Marchand is the Olympic champion and world record holder in the event. For good measure, he is also the Olympics record holder in the 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke and the 200m IM.
Clareburt said the gap between Marchand and his main rivals has closed this year, with great times posted.
The New Zealander is not feeling added pressure from being defending champion.
"I am just there to have a good time and hopefully swim fast - and get back to my fastest times.
"I think I am going to be in the mix, so that will be cool."
Clareburt and Fairweather are joined by their Paris 2024 Olympic teammates Eve Thomas (Coast) and Caitlin Deans (Neptune & Swim Dunedin), while backstroker Andrew Jeffcoat (United) returns for his fourth world championships.
A feature of the team is the return of Laura Quilter (Coast), who is making a remarkable comeback to the national team for the first time in 11 years. She will swim in the 50m butterfly and freestyle
Five swimmers are making their debuts in the pool: Amber George and Finn Harland will contest the 50m and 100m backstroke, Milana Tapper the 100m and 200m freestyle, Savannah-Eve Martin the 50m backstroke, and Zoe Pedersen the 50m butterfly.
The other new member of the New Zealand team, Louis Clark, has already competed in the open water section of the champs, finishing 19th in his heat in the 3km knockout event on Sentosa Island, and 39th overall. Clark has already represented New Zealand in water polo and surf lifesaving.
New Zealand swimming team's events at World Aquatics Championships
Lewis Clareburt
200m butterfly
200m individual medley
400m individual medley
Louis Clark
Men's 3km knockout open water, finished 39th overall
Caitlin Deans
800m freestyle
1500m freestyle
Erika Fairweather
200m freestyle
400m freestyle
800m freestyle
Amber George
50m backstroke
100m backstroke
Finn Harland
50m backstroke
100m backstroke
Andrew Jeffcoat
50m backstroke
Savannah-Eve Martin
50m backstroke
Zoe Pedersen
50m butterfly
Laura Quilter
50m butterfly
50m freestyle
Milana Tapper
100m freestyle
200m freestyle
Eve Thomas
400m freestyle
1500m freestyle
The championship is in Singapore, with the pool events scheduled from 27 July-3 August.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
