Sydney University Swimming Club member Nomiki Lau was one of 50 Paralympic swimming stars of the future – aged between 11 and 18 – competing at the 2010 Australian Age Multi-Class Swimming Championships held over three days at the AIS Pool in Canberra.
Swimmers came from across Australia competed in 60 events and Nomiki, competing at her first national titles, had a very busy program of eight events in the 11-14 age group. Nomiki competed in the S15 classification (deaf) and finished the meet with outstanding results:
- Silver in the 100m butterfly
- 4th in the 50m butterfly,
- 4th in the 50m backstroke,
- 6th in the 50m breaststroke,
- 7th in the 100m freestyle,
- 7th in the 200m individual medley,
- 8th in the 50m freestyle and
- 8th in the 100m freestyle.
Multi-Class races see athletes compete against the world record mark in that event for their classification, and not necessarily the swimmers in the lanes next to them. The winner of the race is not who touches the wall first, but the swimmer who gets closest to the world record in their classification.
Coach Vanessa Smith was on hand to support Nomiki at the titles. “The event was wonderful and a great opportunity for swimmers with a disability to compete in a friendly and supportive environment,” she said. “Nomiki did herself and the Swim Club proud with her great performances.”
Congratulations Nomiki from everyone in the swim club.
