Dual-silver Strauch swimming at her best

OLYMPIC swimmer Jenna Strauch has claimed her second monthly win in the Bendigo Sports Star Awards, for the month of May.

The 25-year-old is in career-best form, posting her quickest time in the 200-metre breaststroke and claiming a silver medal at the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest last week.

She said she never imagined she’d be the second best in the world.

“I honestly was going this year with the goal of making a final, top eight in the world, but to walk away as second best in the world this year is pretty surreal,” she said.

“It’s a really good position to be in, we’re two years away from another Olympics… it gives me a lot of hope and something to work towards.”

At the world champs, Strauch was also a part of the Australian 100-metre medley relay team which finished 0.47 seconds behind the United States to also claim silver.

“I really aspire to be a part of the relay teams in Australia,” she said. “We have huge success, and we have such a good group of athletes.”

In May this year, Strauch proved herself as one of the country’s top swimmers, winning the 200-metre breaststroke in the Australian Swimming Championships.

Strauch said she’s grateful for all the support coming from her hometown.

“It means so much to me,” she said. “Having been a Bendigo girl growing up there’s a special place in my heart for the town.

“After last year’s Olympics and seeing the outpour of love and support I got to then go away on the international stage and know I’ve got the support of the whole community is something you can only imagine.

“I’m very grateful and appreciative, I’m just really glad I can hopefully bring some joy to the community and give them something to follow and inspire to do.”

Strauch’s hectic swimming calendar continues, leading up to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games on 28 July.