Olympian Nick Sloman Withdraws From Aussie Open Water Championships

2026 AUSTRALIAN OPEN WATER CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Thursday, January 22nd – Sunday, January 25th
• Koombana Bay, Western Australia
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The 2026 Australian Open Water Championships are set to kick off tomorrow, Thursday, January 22nd with titles, bragging rights, cash and more on the line over the course of the four-day competition.

More than 400 athletes, including a dozen internationals, are slated to compete with domestic racers. Australia’s top senior contenders are competing for funding ahead of qualification races in Spain and Italy for the Pan Pacific Championships to be held in California in August. Junior swimmers are also competing for selection for the Junior World Championships in Argentina.

We reported the key entries, however, there’s been a change at the 11th hour, with Olympian Nick Sloman withdrawing from the men’s competition. Swimming Australia confirmed the 28-year-old has been hit with a sinus infection and will no longer be in the field.

2026 Key Entrants

• Moesha Johnson (Miami)
• Tiana Kritzinger (Rackley)
• Kyle Lee (NCT)
• Nick Sloman (MVC) – Withdrawn
• Sam Short (Rackley)
• Sachika Kajimoto (JPN)
• Tayla Martin (Carlile)
• Thomas Raymond (NCT)

In terms of schedule, Thursday will see the women’s and girls’ 10k, as well as the men’s and boys’ 10k. The girls’ and boys’ aged 16-17 5k race will also take place on that day.

Friday will see the girls’ and boys’ aged 14-15 5k as well as the mixed 4×1500 relay, with Sunday bringing the women’s and men’s knockout sprints. Sunday’s lineup also includes the 5k in addition to multiple age category events.

Athletes will also contest a brand-new medal event on Day 3, with the 3km knockout sprints debuting for the first time.

The 3km knockout sprint features three races in a short time period, tournament style, with one heat of an open water 1500m, before one heat of a 1000m sprint, and then finishing off with the last 500m sprint. The last 500m determines the winner. Ten athletes will progress through to the final.