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Toohey Makes History with Record-Breaking Gold Rush

Sixteen year old New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) swimmer Sienna Toohey delivered a dominant performance at the 2025 Australian Age and Multi-Class Age Swimming Championships in Brisbane, claiming four gold medals and setting two Australian age records.

Representing her hometown of Albury on the NSW-Victorian border, Toohey stamped her name in the record books with a scorching 30.73 in the 50m breaststroke – breaking Olympic gold medallist Chelsea Hodges’ 2018 time of 31.28.

But the teenager didn’t just stop there. Her time not only broke records, but it ended a 20-year reign – knocking Olympic silver medallist Brooke Hanson’s 2005 time out of the all-time top ten, cementing Toohey as the ninth fastest all-time Australian.

“I didn’t think it was that fast,” Toohey said modestly, “All I wanted out of that race was the senior world qualifying time because I love the 50m [event] so much. We called Dad later that night, and [when he told me], I was just like, ‘oh my God, I didn’t know it was that fast!”

Toohey backed it up in the 100m breaststroke, clocking in 1:07.04 to set another Australian age record and claim her second gold.

“[My coach, Wayne Gould] came over and gave me a big hug,” Toohey said. “He was really proud because I think now – because he’s 71 – he definitely gets very worried for me before races. He always has faith in me, [so it’s a] relief when I have done [well] for him.”

Also winning gold in the 200m breaststroke (2:27.92) and individual medley (2:16.28), Toohey showed consistency, speed, and stamina across strokes and distances. But she described the final stretch of her breaststroke double as the highlight.

“I was very tired by [day three],” she said. “I wasn’t really expecting much [for the 200m breaststroke]. I just turned on the last lap and was like ‘Okay, we’ll aim for second’. And then I don’t know, I just kept going. I was running off pure adrenaline.”

With her sights set on making the team for the World Junior Championships in Romania this August, Toohey credits her mindset and strong support network for keeping her grounded.

“Swimming is definitely more mental game than anything else,” she said. “You can be physically ready, but if you’re not mentally ready, that will throw everything out. Not putting too much pressure on yourself really helps. And having set goals.”

Her preparation routine is tightly structured: compression boots, home-cooked meals from mum, and plenty of TV, including Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Before competing, at the last marshalling chair, she visualises every stroke, touch, turn, and finish.

“I’ll give [my coach] a fist bump, and the last thing he will say to me is ‘you know what to do, go out there and do it.’”

Now, with a short break underway, Toohey already has her eyes on what’s next: sharpening her skills at school meets and training in Canberra while her coach takes a well-earned holiday.

“I’d love, love, love to make my first [Australian] team,” she said. “That’s what keeps me going.”

The week of golds, records, and resilience sealed the deal, as Toohey secured her place to represent Australia at the 2025 World Junior Championships in Romania.