Cody Simpson Equals QT in 100 Fly, Likely Headed to World Championships

2022 AUSTRALIAN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Australian singer-turned-swimmer Cody Simpson equaled the qualifying time of 51.96 in the 100-meter butterfly finals on Wednesday, most likely booking a spot on the Senior International Team headed to the World Championships in Budapest and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this year. 

Simpson, whose 51.79 in prelims crushed his personal best by .87 seconds, placed third behind Kyle Chalmers (51.67) and medalist Matthew Temple (51.50) in the final. The top two under the qualifying time advance to next month’s World Championships, but Chalmers’ absence from the event allows Simpson to take his spot. The top three advance to the Commonwealth Games in late July, where Chalmers is slated to compete. 

The qualification would be a major step in the pop star’s remarkable journey back to the pool. Simpson quit swimming at 13 years old to pursue music and only recently began training again in 2020. After a decade out of the water, the 25-year-old placed eighth at last year’s Olympic Trials. 

“That’s a dream come true,” Simpson said of his first Senior International Team berth. “So much progress from last year, I’ve just been busting my ass all year. I had no idea it was going to happen this meet, so I’m through the roof. I only started training a little under two years ago after 10 years out of the water. I didn’t even think I’d be remotely competitive until this year at the earliest, so to make the team is just a bonus on the way to Paris.”

Top 5 Finishers, 100 Fly

  1. Matthew Temple, 51.50
  2. Kyle Chalmers, 51.67
  3. Cody Simpson, 51.96
  4. Bowen Gough, 52.35
  5. Ben Armbruster, 52.41

Simpson was .01 seconds behind Chalmers at the turn before the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the 100 freestyle gained some separation down the stretch in the race for second place. Chalmers has been back in the pool for just six weeks following a second shoulder surgery this past December. 

All-time Performers: Australian Men’s 100 Fly

  1. Matthew Temple, 50.45 (2021)
  2. Andrew Lauterstein, 50.85 (2009)
  3. Grant Irvine, 51.00 (2017)
  4. Kyle Chalmers, 51.37 (2020)
  5. David Morgan, 51.47 (2019)
  6. Jayden Hadler, 51.66 (2015)
  7. Christopher Wright, 51.67 (2012)
  8. Geoff Huegill, 51.69 (2010)
  9. Mitchell Patterson, 51.72 (2009)
  10. Cody Simpson, 51.79 (2022)

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KSW
2 years ago

Honestly so so impressive. What a badass

Formerswimmer
2 years ago

He’s an extremely gifted man and it’s amazing to watch him in and out of the water. Non swimmers have no clue how hard it is to make the Fina cut (and after only a short time!).

VermontSwim
2 years ago

As many of us have mentioned it – Head Above Water promo trailer:

“Head Above Water, an Amazon Original four-part docuseries that follows elite Australian swimmers Ian Thorpe AM, Bronte Campbell OAM and Kyle Chalmers OAM, as well as former-junior-champion-turned-international-musician, Cody Simpson in the lead up to the games in July.

The series explores how these incredible athletes deal with pressure in and out of the pool and reveals what drives their determination to succeed through personal sacrifice, and grueling training sessions as they vie for a place on the Australian Swimming Team, ahead of the upcoming Games in July. Ian Thorpe shares his before, during and after journey as an Olympian;… Read more »

Meathead
2 years ago

Think he has to be focused on olympics in ‘24. Wonder if he swims college next year. Gotta be all in for next 28 months

Werner Swimzog
Reply to  Meathead
2 years ago

Where would he go? Berklee?

Admin
Reply to  Werner Swimzog
2 years ago

Cody graduated from high school in 2014 as the valedictorian at Atlanta Country Day School (which is sort of a non-traditional school with somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 students).

He would not be eligible for NCAA Division I swimming.

Meow
Reply to  Werner Swimzog
2 years ago

If SwimSwam had something similar to reddit gold, I would give it to this comment. A+.

4Alum
Reply to  Werner Swimzog
2 years ago

underrated joke

Xman
2 years ago

This is extreme natural talent being developed.

GrameziPT
2 years ago

Inspiring. He deserves it

fatsmcgee
2 years ago

Truly inspiring! This guy has everything and all the adoration in the world. He put in the work, in a humbling and difficult sport, and opened himself up to plenty of armchair criticism and negativity. Mad impressed, very few would have the tenacity to do this in his position.

Same Same
2 years ago

He’s getting some pro tips from his girlfriend Emma McKeon!!

About Riley Overend

Riley is an associate editor interested in the stories taking place outside of the pool just as much as the drama between the lane lines. A 2019 graduate of Boston College, he arrived at SwimSwam in April of 2022 after three years as a sports reporter and sports editor at newspapers …

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