SWIMMING sensation Henry Allan continues to enhance his reputation as one of the country’s hottest international prospects with a pair of national title wins and record times at the 2026 Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n
Following a breakout championships last year, the Junior Dolphins team member started this year’s meet with a bang last Saturday, producing two record swims within hours of each other in the 17-year boys 200m backstroke.<\/p>\n
In his morning swim, Allan \u2013 better known for his performances over 50m and 100m \u2013 obliterated 2016 Olympian Mitch Larkin’s long-standing 200m backstroke record in winning his heat in 1:57.56.<\/p>\n
The record had stood for 15 years.<\/p>\n
It’s what Allan did next that stunned many, promptly breaking the record in the evening with a stunning 1:57.00 swim to break the all-comers record set in 2000 by American Aaron Peirsol.<\/p>\n
It put the Bendigo East club swimmer in exalted company, with Peirsol a five-time Olympic champion and multiple world champion.<\/p>\n
The all-comers record is the fastest performance in a specific event achieved within a particular country, regardless of the athlete’s nationality.<\/p>\n
Larkin, whose record Allan smashed earlier in the day, was quick to take to social media to congratulate the young star.<\/p>\n
“Unreal swimming Henry \u2013 the future is looking very bright,” Larkin posted.<\/p>\n
Allan’s record-breaking feats have stamped him as a genuine bolter for selection in Australia’s medley relay team at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Pan Pacific Championships in the United States later this year.<\/p>\n
“To come back here tonight after heats and repeat the record \u2026 I am so proud of myself,” Allan said last Saturday.<\/p>\n
“The 200m is never my specialty and I am excited to see where I can take it.<\/p>\n
“I would be honoured to step into (Australia’s) medley relay \u2013 just the amount of excellence in the men’s and whole Dolphins’ squad.”<\/p>\n
His club was quick to share its enthusiasm on social media.<\/p>\n
“We’ve long known Henry Allan as a standout backstroker and a force in the 50m and 100m freestyle,” a post on the Bendigo East Swimming Club Facebook page read.<\/p>\n
“But now he’s added another title to his growing list of achievements, 200m Freestyle Age Champion.<\/p>\n
“An incredible display of versatility and determination at the 2026 Australian Age Championships, showing he’s not just fast \u2013 but can get it done across the distance as well.<\/p>\n
“Credit to the preparation behind the scenes, with coach John Jordan continuing to guide Henry’s progression across multiple events. A huge moment for Henry and a proud moment for Bendigo East Swimming Club.”<\/p>\n
Allan, who last year finished fourth in both the 50 and 100m backstroke finals at the World Junior Championships in Romania, backed up his record-breaking exploits on the Gold Coast by winning a second gold in the 17-year boys 200m freestyle on Sunday.<\/p>\n
His winning time of 1:48.80 made him the sole finalist to clear the 1:50 benchmark.<\/p>\n
Among the youngest of 14 Bendigo East swimmers coached by John Jordan competing at the age championships, Makayla Soko added to the medal haul by claiming bronze in the 12-year girls 100m multi-class backstroke.<\/p>\n
More sport from page 27.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SWIMMING sensation Henry Allan continues to enhance his reputation as one of the country’s hottest international prospects with a pair of national title wins and record times at the 2026 Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast. Following a breakout championships last year, the Junior Dolphins team member started this year’s meet with a bang […]<\/p>\n