Even though New Zealand’s Olympic Trials already took place last week in Auckland, where 6 Kiwi swimmers earned their spot on the Rio roster, a 2nd qualifying meet is taking place this week.
The Canadian Olympic Trials, scheduled through April 10th in Toronto, is acting as the 2nd Olympic-qualifying meet where New Zealanders can fight for FINA A cuts and their chance to swim at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Taking advantage of the opportunity is 21-year-old backstroking stud Corey Main, who competed in the 100m backstroke event today in Toronto. The FINA A cut sits at 54.36 and Main managed to fire off a swift 54.27 in the prelims race this morning to secure his Olympic-qualifying time, as well as a 3rd seed for tonight’s final.
No male swimmer competing at the New Zealand Trials last week was able to log a time under the cut, as the fastest swimmer in prelims was Corneille Coetzee with a 55.88, while in finals his brother Wilrich Coetzee wound up winning the event in 56.03.
Butterflyer Helena Gasson and IMer Bradlee Ashby were among the 6 Kiwi Olympic qualifiers at New Zealand Trials.
Canadian Trials Results
New Zealand Trials Results
Main was just a tad excited, per his Twitter account today:
Rio BABBBYYY!!! #RoadToRio 🇳🇿
— Corey Main (@coreyymain) April 6, 2016