Australia’s swimmers will hit the water chasing more gold on night two of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre tonight.

Last night the Australian Flippers won eight medals, including gold medals to Daniel Smith (200m freestyle), Samantha Hamill (200m butterfly) and Belinda Hocking (100m backstroke).

Tonight the Australians will stage a two-pronged attack in both the men’s and women’s 100 metres freestyle and the women’s 400m individual medley.

In the men’s 100m freestyle, Queensland’s Nick Johnston is the fastest qualifier after winning his heat in 52.73, ahead of second-fastest qualifier, team mate Jason Schnyder from Victoria.

The women’s 100m freestyle will see Australia’s Ellese Zalewski and Cate Campbell take on China’s brilliant 14-year-old Tang Yi, who out-touched Zalewski in a thrilling 200m freestyle final last night.

Meanwhile just half-a-second separates the fastest three qualifiers in the women’s 400m individual medley final with Australia’s Ellen Fullerton (4:54.15) and Hamill (4:54.36) winning their respective heats – Hamill just ahead of China’s Zhou Wenting (4:54.69).

Other Australians to qualify are: Kieran Casey fifth (4:41.45) and Ryan Napoleon eighth (4:47.30) in the 400m individual medley; Nathan Broadbent fifth (1:07.47) and Jack Laidler seventh (1:08.28) in the men’s 100m breaststroke and Rebecca Blevins fourth (1:13.92) and Jessica Legge fifth (1:14.45) in the women’s 100m breaststroke.

The Australian teams are also expected to figure prominently in both the men’s and women’s 4x200m freestyle relay finals which begin at 6pm.

Ian Hanson
AYOF