Minna Atherton

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Atherton discussed the Open Nationals race with Australian press after Friday’s final. “It was pretty intimidating,” she said. “But I was just going for the experience and to learn how to race against the older girls. It was a really good experience. I’m looking forward to my races tomorrow and throughout the rest of the year.”

Background

Australian Minna Atherton resides in Brisbane where she attends school and swims for the Brisbane Grammar Swim Club under Coach David Lush. The backstroker was born in the year 20oo

Early Success

In 2014, 13-year old Minna Atherton set a new National (Australian) Age Group Record with a 1:02.79 in the girls’ 12-13 100 backstroke, which broke her own National Record for 13 & unders of 1:03.04 set in December.

As a 14 year old, won gold at the 2015 Georgina Hope Foundation Australian Age Swimming Championships in the 100 backstroke racing to a 1:01.35. Just one week earlier, Atherton raced her Country’s best at the Open Nationals and finished 4th behind Australian National Teamers, Emily Seebohm, Madison Wilson and Hayler Baker. Her time at the meet, 1:01.18, was the second fastest in history for an Australian 14 year old.

National/International Competition

At the Fina World Junior Championships held in Singapore, Minna tied the Junior World Record in the 100m backstroke, and then broke the Championship record in the 200 backstroke.

Following up those swims, at the Queensland State Swimming Championships held in Brisbane, she broke the Junior World Record in the 100m backstroke with a time of 59.37.

She started the year 2016 off with a blast, breaking the Junior World Record in the 50m backstroke, first in the heats with a time of 27.73 and then followed that up in the finals with another new Junior World Record and a time 27.49.

2018 Short Course World Championships

Atherton garnered her first senior international medals in Hangzhou, where she helped team Australia to bronze medals in the 4×50 and 4×200 free relays. She also tied for 3rd with Brit Georgia Davies in the 100 backstroke.

2019 World Championships

Atherton continued to move up in her world placing at the long course world champs. In the 100 back final in Gwangju, Atherton pulled out a silver medal over a very tight field, touching 2nd in a time of 58.85.

Atherton then swam in the prelims of the 4×100 mixed medley relay, splitting 59.65 in backstroke, which went on to earn a gold medal in the finals.

Atherton finished with the 4×100 medley relay, swimming in finals and leading off in a time of 59.06 to help Australia earn silver.

International Medals

Place Event Year Meet
Gold 400 Mixed Medley Relay 2019 World Championships
Silver 100 Back 2019 World Championships
Silver 400 Medley Relay 2019 World Championships
Bronze 100 Back 2018 Short Course World Championships
Bronze 200 Freestyle Relay 2018 Short Course World Championships
Bronze 800 Freestyle Relay 2018 Short Course World Championships
Gold 100 Back 2015 World Junior Championships
Gold 200 Back 2015 World Junior Championships
Gold 400 Freestyle Relay 2015 World Junior Championships
Silver 50 Back 2015 World Junior Championships
Silver 400 Medley Relay 2015 World Junior Championships
Silver 400 Mixed Medley Relay 2015 World Junior Championships

Best Times

Course Event Time Date Meet
lcm 50 Back 27.49 01/29/16 2016 Brisbane Sprint Championships
Brisbane, Australia
lcm 100 Back 58.85 07/23/19 2019 World Championships
Gwangju, South Korea
lcm 200 Back 2:06.82 06/14/19 2019 Australian World Trials
Brisbane, Australia
Minna Atherton 200 backstroke at the FINA Short Course Worlds Windsor, Canada (photo: Mike Lewis) Courtesy of Swimming Australia Minna Atherton 200 backstroke at the FINA Short Course Worlds Windsor, Canada (photo: Mike Lewis) Women's 100m backstroke podium: Emily Seebohm (gold, center), Minna Atherton (silver, left), Madison Wilson (bronze, right); courtesy of Swimming Australia Minna Atherton Santa Clara (photo: Mike Lewis)