Games records fall at swimming

Mon, May 09 2011

Queensland athlete Robert Gerlach, 16, was the swimmer of the day in the first 2011 Arafura Games swimming competitions, breaking two Arafura Games records, two NT Allcomers records and winning gold medals in all six events he competed in.

In the 50m Backstroke Gerlach finished with a time of 28.11, breaking the Arafura Games record of 28.64, which had been set by Malaysian swimmer Keng-Liat (Alex) Lim 14 years ago, in 1997, and the NT Allcomers record of 28.52.

With a time of 2:10.76 in the Open 200m Backstroke the Territory-born swimmer broke Eugene Tee’s 2009 Arafura Games record, which had stood with a time of 2:12.48, and Cameron Jory’s NT Allcomers record of 2:13.59.

He won the Boys 200m backstroke, 15-16 years 200m individual medley (IM), 15-16 years 50m backstroke, 400m IM, 15-16 years 100m butterfly and 200m freestyle.

The 16-year-old said he was “really excited” to be competing in front of a “home crowd”.

“I was born in the Territory and it’s kind of a tradition for me to come and compete in events here in Darwin,” he said.

“The competition is really tough this year, with some good athletes from other countries, but I always try to do my best.

“It’s great that I performed well in the first competitions.”

The young athlete said he was looking forward to making new friends and meeting new people during the 2011 Arafura Games.

Northern Territory swimmers Stevie Nibbs won the Girls 200m backstroke, Ayrton Innes won the Boys 13-14 years 50m Breaststroke, Savannah Rossingh won the 15-16 years 100m Butterfly and Rochelle Bassett won the Girls under 12 years 100m breaststroke.

Tomorrow’s heats will commence at 8am and finish about 11am with warm up from 7am at Casuarina Pool.

Finals will be held from 6pm.

More information and images Arafura Games Media Centre: (08) 8982 2333