Swimmer Nicholas Schafer has made history by taking Australia’s first ever gold medal at a Youth Olympic Games in the men’s 100m breastroke.

The 18-year-old from Brisbane powered home in the last quarter of the race after being behind with just half a lap left in the pool at Singapore Sport School.

“It’s just a wonderful feeling,” said Schafer. “I wasn’t focusing on the result of the race, just the process. But it worked out well.”

After qualifying fastest for the final Schafer swam a 1.01.38 to edge out Russia’s Anton Lobanov by 0.06 of a second.

Schafer said he felt a few pre-race nerves but did not want the occasion to get the better of him.

“A little part of me really wanted the gold but I knew all I needed to do was relax.”

Schafer, who lists Ian Thorpe as his sporting hero, hopes bringing home Australia’s first gold will make him known throughout the Australian team.

“I came here hoping to meet a lot of new people,” he said. “Hopefully this’ll break the ice.”

Schafer swims for the River City Rapids in Queensland where he has been coached by Dion Walmsley since 2007.

Schafer knows how to handle major meets after swimming at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, World School Games and Australian Youth Olympic Festival in the past two years.

With his Year 12 studies coming to an end this year, Schafer wants to build on his YOG success and make the Australian team for London 2012.

Schafer also competes in surf lifesaving but is committed to taking his swimming career further.

After years of hard work and many early mornings in the pool, Schafer feels like he has earned the honour of beginning a new chapter in Australian sport.

“It’s definitely all worth it,” he beamed. “I’ll never forget it.”

Luke Dufficy

IOC Young Reporters Program