Gold for Galea and Woodward at Japan Open

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athletes Bradley Woodward and Matt Galea have returned from the 2023 Japan Open with a bullion of gold after sweeping the meet in the men’s backstroke and distance events.

“The Japan Open has provided a very close and very competitive racing atmosphere,” NSWIS Swimming Head Coach Adam Kable said.

“This trip has allowed the team to sharpen their racing skills and test their mettle in an unfamiliar challenging environment.”

On Day 2, Woodward won the men’s 100m backstroke final in a time of 53.7 seconds. The following day he took out the men’s 50m backstroke final in just 25.13 seconds and proceeded to wipe 0.39 sec off his PB in the 200m backstroke, finishing first for the third time at the meet in a time of 1:55.56.

Teammate Matt Galea won the men’s 400m freestyle final in a time of 3:48.72 and the men’s 800m freestyle timed finals in a time of 7:56.59.

“The team has responded well to the challenge and are exactly where we want them this time of the Olympic preparation cycle,” Kable said.

Fellow NSWIS swimmer Haig Buckingham finished third in the men’s 50m breaststroke final in 27.39 seconds and finished the meet with a PB in the men’s 100m breaststroke.

The NSWIS swimming squad now heads to Brisbane to compete in the QLD State Championships from Saturday 9 December 2023.

NSWIS