New World Record just the start for Josh Yong
Record breaker Josh Yong is setting his sights on the 2023 World Aquatic Championships following his stunning performance in the 4x100m medley relay at last years’ FINA Short Course World Swimming Championships.
In his national senior team debut, Yong swam breaststroke in Australia’s’ gold medal win, and was part of a new world record, in the medley relay. His spectacular national senior team debut has the WAIS swimmer primed for the upcoming 2023 World Aquatics Championship Trials in June. If successful, the 21-year old will compete for Australia again in the twentieth edition of the Championships, which will be held in Fukuoka, Japan, from the 14th to 30th of July.
“It was a great experience racing internationally at the FINA World Champs, as part of my first official senior team,” Josh said.
“I didn’t expect to be a part of a world record win, it was a phenomenal experience I guess, everything went right on the day.”
Josh began competitive swimming at just eight-years-old, and thirteen years later has his sights set on selection into the World Championships team for the year.
“I was in learn to swim from around the age of three and just loved it from the beginning. It’s the competitiveness that I love about it and having a brother to compete against all the time was a big win.”
“For the year ahead, I’d really like to make the World Champs team, the trials are in June so I will be prepping for that.”
“Ben [Higson] is a good coach, so I’m sure he’ll help me get to where I want to be this season. He’s laid back and generates good banter throughout the squad, which is key.”
WAIS’ Head Swimming Coach, Ben Higson, who arrived at the institute from Scotland in late May last year, is dedicated to ensuring his athletes get what they need to reach their full potentials.
“To have a swimmer of Josh’s calibre and talent level, is exciting for the group and exciting for WAIS to have athletes like him in the program” he said.
“The staff work extremely hard to make sure the athletes get what they need. Swimming is swimming and I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel – I’m here to try and support the athletes, to help them reach and attain their goals, they drive the bus and I help steer it in the right direction at times. With some of the goals and aspirations that they have its exciting to be a part of their journey and lead that team.”
With the World Aquatics Championships looming, Ben is focusing on ensuring his athletes are in a position to deliver when it matters with the upcoming trials.
“For me, I always look at a successful season based on the performances at target meets, which for us at the moment will be in June and hopefully into July for the world champs – it’s about ensuring the athletes are in a position to deliver when it matters and that’s physically, psychologically, technically and tactically.”
“If we can turn up to the trials as a group and deliver lifetime bests and seasons bests then I will judge that as a success. Whether people make teams off the back of that, that would just be a by-product of how well the trials have gone.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing how we go. I’ve really loved my time here so far; it’s been great, and I look forward too many more years ahead.”
WAIS Swimming Coach Ben Higson and Josh Yong
Josh Yong is just getting started