Tokyo Wrap With Our F-Team Olympians
The first Aussie medal in the pool went to F-Teamer Brendon Smith
The most anticipated Olympics in history, the Tokyo 2020 Games has elapsed in what has seemed like an instant. At the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, the swimming showcased multiple World Records and a colossal 16 Olympic Games Records, with the United States (11) and Australia (9) dominating the gold medal tally. In action were several F-Teamers from across the globe. Finals, medals, and personal bests were what these men were aiming for and it paid to be ambitious as this is exactly what they achieved.
In his Olympic debut in Tokyo, F-Teamer Brendon Smith, wearing his custom APEX Predator suit, was the first to win a medal for Australia. The 21-year-old from Nunawading was also the first Australian to win a medal in the Men's 400m Individual Medley since Rob Woodhouse in 1984. On night one and in a heat alongside Japanese superstar Daiya Seto, who failed to qualify for the final, and American Jay Litherland, Smith left his run late but secured the Heat 5 victory, earning him lane 4 position for the final. On the big stage he demonstrated poise and focus, although many considered him down and out at the 350m wall. Smith left nothing in the pool and stormed home with a 56.32 final 100m split to claim the bronze.
F-Teamer Jack McLoughlin was just 0.16 off gold in Tokyo!
Australian F-Teamer Jack McLoughlin, stocked up with an arsenal of custom APEX Predator suits, kicked off his second Games in the most anticipated event, the Men's 400m Freestyle. McLoughlin is no stranger to the international race scene having narrowly missed a finals berth in the Men's 1500m Freestyle by just 0.62 seconds in his 2016 Olympic debut. On night one in Tokyo, McLoughlin dead-heated the final heat of the Men's 400, and this time around he was on the favorable side of a finals berth. In the final, Jack took it out strong and left nothing to chance. He spearheaded the field for a majority of the race and the final stages were mouthwatering to watch; a match-race to the wall with Tunisia's Ahmed Hafnaoui. The Tunisian claimed the win by just 0.16 seconds in what was Tunisia's first swimming gold medal since Oussama Mellouli in 2012. McLoughlin claimed the silver hitting the wall in 3:43.52. McLoughlin also placed 5th in the inaugural Men's 800m Freestyle final and backed up his massive campaign with a swim in the Men's 1500m Freestyle event. McLoughlin was close to giving up swimming all together when the Games were pushed out by a year but he regrouped, set his sights on Tokyo 2020 where his grit, determination and unparalleled work ethic paid off.
Jacob 'Jet' Whittle blitz a 48.11 in his 100 free semi in Tokyo
In Tokyo, 16-year-old British sensation, Jacob Whittle, proved to the swimming world that his future is very bright. At his maiden Olympic Games, Whittle broke the English Record in the Men's 100m Freestyle, winning Heat 6 and making his way into the semifinal. He turned it up in the blue-ribband event and swam a 48.11 to place 13th, missing the final by a mere 0.29 seconds.
Irish F-Teamer Daniel Wiffen broke Irish records in Tokyo
Ireland's Daniel Wiffen also proved to be a fierce competitor, taking it to the field in both of his events, the 800m and 1500m Freestyle. Claiming the victory in both of his heats, the Irishman clocked 7:51.65 and 15:07.69, collecting Irish Records in both.
Funky Trunker Zac Incerti with Team GB Funkita swimmer Aimee Willmott
Funky Trunks' own Zac Incerti, of Western Australia, is versatile in the pool and has proven he can perform when it matters most. Incerti secured two Olympic medals in both the Men's 4x100m and 4x200m Freestyle relays. Clocking 47.55 and 1:45.75 in the respective finals, he was pivotal to the Aussies' success.
The young gun on the Australian Team Isaac Cooper won bronze in Tokyo
Not only is the current Australian Team thriving, there is evidence that the future is also bright. 17-year-old F-Teamer Isaac Cooper made his international debut in Tokyo, and was certainly not out of place, having clocked a PB in the semifinal of the Men's 100m Backstroke. He also earned a heat swim in the bronze medal winning Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay team.
Kiwi Lewis Clareburt broke his own national record in the 400IM
Kiwi Lewis Clareburt pulled on his APEX Predator suit to race in both the 400m and the 200m IM where he progressed through to the finals in both events, having broken his own national record in the heats with a time of 4:09.49.
Irishman Brendan Hyland raced the 200m fly and 200 free relay in Tokyo
After a grueling wait to find out if he'd be joining the Irish team in Tokyo, F-Teamer Brendan Hyland proved that he earned his spot with great swims in the heats of both the 4 x 200m Freestyle relay and the 200m Butterfly.
Syrian Olympian Ayman Klzie is the first Syrian under 2 minutes in the 200m fly
Ayman Klzie, who trains at Thayanpura in Thailand, proudly represented Syria by breaking the national record in the 200m Butterfly event, becoming the first Syrian to swim under 2 minutes.
It may be the end of the road to Tokyo 2020, but the next chapter has already begun. The regular season of the ISL, commencing in Naples on August 26, is the next step for many international athletes including several F-Teamers. What would have previously been a 4-year endeavour to Paris 2024 is now just 3, and the race is well and truly back on.