Clareburt Gives New Zealand Its First Gwangju Medal In Record-Setting Way

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Yesterday we put the spotlight on 20-year-old Lewis Clareburt as New Zealand’s last hope for its first finalist here at these World Championships in Gwangju, Korea, but the man did the country one better by becoming a medalist

After having claimed the 5th seed out of the 400m IM heats this morning in a time of 4:14.56, already close to his National Record of 4:14.27, Clareburt blasted a huge lifetime best of 4:12.07 to take bronze behind winner Daiya Seto of Japan and silver medalist Jay Litherland of America.

Clareburt took bronze while competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, a competition to which his name was added at the last minute. The teen performed impressively under pressure to land on the podium, as well as follow-up with the NR for 5th at last year’s Pan Pacs.

The teen has moved from 4:18.79 to 4:14.27 to now 4:12.07 in just the span of a year.

Splits from tonight’s 4:12.07, New Zealand Record:

Splits from 4:14.27 from Pan Pacs:

As such, on the final day, New Zealand added itself to the medal table, joining Australia as Oceanic nations having medaled here in Gwangju.

 
Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
2  Australia 5 9 5 19
 New Zealand 0 0 1 1

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Dcswim
5 years ago

He keeps getting tested like this and keeps showing up on top! I think it bodes well for his future in the sport

Samesame
5 years ago

Congrats ! Remember seeing him at comm games last year . Great improvement

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