Keesja Gofers

Fast Facts

Sport: Water Polo 
Event: Women
Olympic History: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020
Coach: Dusan Krstic
Highlights: Bronze 2019 World Championships (South Korea)
Year Born: 1990
Born: Sydney, NSW

About Keesja

The same year she claimed her maiden national Water Polo title, Keesja Gofers competed at her first Olympics as a driver for the Australian Women’s Water Polo Team. She secured her debut at Rio with a strong 2016 season, scoring three goals in the bronze medal match at the FINA World Super League Finals in China, helping Australia place third over the host nation.

Gofers proved to be an integral part of the women’s side, scoring a total of five goals for the Australians. 

The Aussies kick-started their Rio campaign with a strong, dominant 14-4 win over Russia. Their second pool match proved to be more of a challenge with the green and gold side narrowly going down to Italy 7-8 despite the scores being tied until the final seconds. 

The Aussies then powered home to take a decisive 10-3 win over hosts Brazil in the final pool game, setting up a quarter-final clash against Hungary. In a physical, tense, and ultimately heartbreaking encounter the Australians lost in a penalty shootout after scores were level, 8-8, after four quarters, ending their 2016 Olympic campaign. 

The Sydney-born athlete played for the Sydney University Lions and co-captained the team, along with fellow Stinger, Lea Yanitsas, to the National Water Polo League title in March 2016.

Gofers took up Water Polo to copy her sisters when she was 13 years-old. She made her international debut in 2010 and helped Australia claim silver at the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

Athleticism runs in the Gofers family. Her sister, Taniele, competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics winning the water polo bronze medal and has represented Australia in European handball. Another of her sisters, Allira, plays European handball and beach handball for Australia.

Gofers graduated from Sydney University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Design in Architecture. 

Keesja made her second Olympic appearance at the delayed Tokyo 2020 games. Australia would enjoy an impressive group-stage showing, finishing the stage 3-1, tied first on points and advancing to the quarter-ifnals in second place. 

This set up a quarter-final tie against the ROC, which Australia narrowly lost 9-8, denying the Aussies a chance at medal contention. Australia would, however, finish the tournament with back-to-back wins against Canada and the Netherlands, the latter Gofers would score three goals against. Earning the Aussies an overall 5th place at the Tokyo games. 

Keesja showed her quality throughout Tokyo 2020, ending the tournament in the top 10 for; blocks, rebounds, and sprints.