Pushing the limits in the pool

BALLARAT Gold Swimming Club member Ed Meddings could find himself part of the next generation of iconic Dolphins in the Australian Swim Team.

Following recent national success, the 15-year-old breaststroker has been selected to train within the Flippers’ program; a top Victorian swimming squad which also operates as a pathway to the national team.

Catching the program’s attention at the Australian Age Swimming Championships in Adelaide earlier this year, Meddings won a bronze medal in the 100-metre breaststroke in a personal best time.

He also achieved a personal best in the 50-metre breaststroke heat and finished equal second in the final.

A couple of weeks after this meet, Meddings returned to South Australia for the Commonwealth Games trials.

“I went along for the experience of competing against top-level swimmers, and to see how I compare,” he said.

“I was in the same event as Tokyo Olympic and world champion Zac Stubblety-Cook, which was amazing really.

“I got to see a lot of top-level swimmers in-person, like Emma McKeon and Kaylee McKeown. Seeing them on TV, you idolise them, and when you see them in person, you can see what they’re doing, and learn ways to improve.”

Meddings started competing at nine years of age with Ballarat GCO Swimming Club. He enjoys the challenging nature of swimming, always aiming to better his technique and times in the pool.

“I like pushing my body to the limit to see how far I can take myself in the sport, and how fast I can get,” he said.

“I’m looking forward 2023 to see if I can improve my rankings at the Commonwealth Games trials. In the future I’d like to qualify for an international meet, and even make an Olympic team.”

Meddings will compete in the 2022 Short Course Australian Championships at Sydney Olympic Park in August.