Aussie Melverton ‘Amazed’ With 7th Place Int’l Open Water Race Debut

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While competing in the women’s World Championships open water 5k race at Lake Balaton, 20-year-old Aussie Kiah Melverton raced her way to her nation’s highest finish in the event. Although landing on the podium is any elite athlete’s ultimate goal, Melverton was satisfied with her 7th place performance in light of the fact this served as the 20-year-old’s first international open water race of her career.

“Considering it’s my first international open water swim, I’ve never really done a swim like that in a pack with those bigger girls, so I’m really happy with that, that’s amazing!”, beamed the TSS Aquatics-based swimmer.

Melverton earned her spot on the Aussie World Championships roster by way of winning the 5k race at this year’s Australian Open Water Swimming Championships in Adelaide. Before that, she kicked off her steadily improving presence by nailing a bronze medal in the pool, placing 3rd in the women’s 800m freestyle at the 2016 World Short Course Championships in Windsor.

Describing her international open water debut, Melverton said, “It wasn’t too bad, a bit rough to the first buoy on each lap but otherwise pretty good, it was a good experience.

“I think I have a lot to improve tactic wise, like slotting in behind people, I’ve never really had to deal with that so that’s something that I need to go back home and practise.”