Rio Olympian Bradlee Ashby has set a New Zealand record in what was the best performance of his young career at the World Swimming Championships in Budapest.
Bradlee Ashby is one of five New Zealand swimmers making their Olympic debut. Photo: Photosport
Ashby finished 13th fastest overall in the semi-finals of the 200m individual medley in a time of 1:59.24 secs, which cut 0.3 secs off his own national record.
The Waikato swimmer, who trains with the High Performance Centre squad under New Zealand coach Jerry Olszewski, improved a second on a morning heat swim that saw him sneak into the semi-finals as the 15th fastest.
He produced a stronger all-round performance in the semi-final, particularly the second half of the race, where his 33.99 secs breaststroke leg was eighth fastest.
"I wasn't entirely pleased with the time in the heats this morning."
"I wanted to go under two minutes tonight and go close to my PB and I managed to beat that which was pleasing," said Ashby.
The 21 year old from the Fairfield club was 25th in his world championship debut in this event as a teenager in Kazan, Russia two years ago.
He has since improved that world ranking to 13th, after making the semi-final at the Rio Olympics.
"Progressively over the past two years I have moved up spots. Making the semi-finals at the worlds is one step further."
"Definitely in the next three years I have the potential to make the top eight and even the top four in three years and make the medal podium in the years to come," he said.
Ashby was the third fastest in the Commonwealth today, behind two British swimmers but notably ahead of the Australians, to make him an early medal threat for next year's Commonwealth Games.
Ashby's performances were not matched by the other Kiwis in the pool.
World junior champion Gabrielle Fa'amausili was 23rd fastest in her favoured 50m backstroke in 28.47 secs, more than half a second outside her national record.
Sam Perry was 51st in heats of the 100m freestyle in 50.14 secs, more than half a second outside his best, while Helena Gasson was 27th fastest in heats of the 200m butterfly in 2:13.71 secs, over three seconds outside her own national record.
