Strong NSWIS Medal Sweep at State Open Championships

The NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) swimming program delivered a wave of podium performances at the NSW State Open Championships, held at Sydney Olympic Park. With 29 medals claimed, the results indicate strong progression ahead of the Australian Swimming Trials in June.

As a key early-season benchmark, the Championships allow coaches to assess training progresses and fine-tune performances leading into Trials, which will determine selection for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships in California.

Several NSWIS athletes returning from international campaigns demonstrated strong form. Swimmers who competed at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships – including Olympians Olivia Wunsch and Brad Woodward, Abbey Webb, open water specialist Tayla Martin and rookie Sienna Toohey – continued their momentum on the domestic stage.

Wunsch claimed bronze in both the 50m and 100m freestyle, Webb secured silver in the 200m freestyle, Martin delivered gold in the 1500m freestyle and silver in the 800m freestyle, while Toohey impressed with silver in the 50m breaststroke and bronze in the 200m breaststroke. Woodward also delivered with silver in the 50m freestyle.

Tayla Martin, who began her year with two silvers at the Open Water Nationals in Western Australia behind world number one Moesha Johnson, said the Championships provided valuable early-season experience to be familiarised with pool competition again, achieving personal bests in both events.

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“It was my first pool racing for the 2026 season, so it was nice to have a crack in a race environment,” she said.

“I was very happy with all my swims were personal bests, considering I’m in a very heavy training block right now for the open water season ahead. I have two World Cups in April and May – in Ibiza, Spain, and Golfo Aranci, Italy – which will determine selection for our pinnacle competition of the year – the Pan Pacific Games.”

“Unfortunately, I won’t be at Nationals this year but may make an appearance in the 800m and 1500m at Trials.”

Marcus Da Silva earned gold in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 200m freestyle, while Se-Bom Lee secured silver in the 200m butterfly and bronze medals in both the 200m and 400m individual medley events. Stu Swinburn claimed gold in the 200m backstroke and silver in the 100m backstroke.

NSWIS Para swimmers, many of whom competed at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships, were among the meet’s standout performers. Paralympic Champion Tim Hodge opened the campaign with gold in the 100m butterfly S9, while Alex Tuckfield won the 200m freestyle S10, and claimed silver medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle S10 events.

Sixteen-year-old Beau Matthews, who is aspiring to Glasgow 2026, delivered a dominant multi-medal campaign, winning gold in the 200m individual medley SM10 and 100m breaststroke SB9, alongside bronze in the 100m backstroke SM10. Chloe Osborn secured gold in the 200m freestyle S7, while Jasmine Greenwood claimed two gold medals and a personal best in the 100m butterfly S10 and 50m freestyle S10.

Full NSWIS results:

Abbey Webb

Silver, 200m Freestyle

Alex Saffy

Bronze, 50m Freestyle S10

Alex Tuckfield

Gold, 200m Freestyle S10

Silver, 50m Freestyle S10

Silver, 100m Freestyle S10

Beau Matthews

Bronze, 100m Backstroke SM10

Gold, 200m IM SM10

Gold, 100m Breaststroke SB9

Brad Woodward

Silver, 50m Freestyle

Chloe Osborn

Gold, 200m Freestyle S7

Daniel Rigby

Gold, 400m Freestyle S9

Jasmine Greenwood

Gold, 100m Butterfly S10

Gold, 50m Freestyle S10

Jess Cole

Silver, 200m Butterfly

Marcus Da Silva

Gold, 100m Freestyle

Bronze, 200m Freestyle

Olivia Wunsch

Bronze, 100m Freestyle

Bronze, 50m Freestyle

Ollie Moclair

Bronze, 50m Freestyle

Se-Bom Lee

Silver, 200m Butterfly

Bronze, 200m IM

Bronze, 400m IM

Sienna Toohey

Bronze, 200m Breaststroke

Silver, 50m Breaststroke

Stu Swinburn

Gold, 200m Backstroke

Silver, 100m Backstroke

Tayla Martin

Silver, 800m Freestyle

Gold, 1500m Freestyle

Tim Hodge

Gold, 100m Butterfly S9