AIMS Games Swimming: Teen stands out in pool

Thomas Wilson during the swim competition at Baywave.

The swimming programme is always a highlight of the AIMS Games and the 2013 version exceeded all expectations.

On a frenetic opening day of heats on Monday, eight long-standing AIMS Games records fell and the hot pace never let up through the finals which ended the meet last night at Baywave.

Star of the opening day was Bailey Wang from Takapuna Normal Intermediate, who broke three records in the 10-11 boys category. His efforts in the 100m individual medley, 50m fly and 50m breaststroke took the individual accolades although Gina Galloway from Auckland Diocesan raised attention by breaking the 10-11 girls 50m backstroke record in a stroke made famous by her grandmother Ngaire Galloway, who was an Olympic swimmer for New Zealand.

But the most dynamic performer on show was a modest 13-year-old, who was the sole representative for Toowoomba Grammar School from Queensland, Australia. Thomas Wilson, who at 1.83m tall is literally head and shoulders above his rivals, smashed the 200m freestyle record at this his third visit to the AIMS Games.

The swim was impressive but still 3sec slower than his own personal best. He holds three other records from his triumphant visit last year but those records were set while representing Christchurch's Heaton Intermediate.

This year Thomas and his family made a decision that may well set him on the path he cherishes to Olympic glory.

He won a scholarship to attend the prestigious swimming school at Toowoomba and left his family, friends and familiar life in Christchurch to board at the school.

The personal cost has been tough to bear, as he admits to homesickness and missing his family and friends. But the development in his swim times has been dramatic, highlighted at the Queensland Short Course champs when he beat the best young swimmers in Queensland to win gold in the 200m backstroke, plus he won silver and bronze medals.

"I found it hard at first but then I got used to it after a while," he said. "I come home every holidays so that helps.

"My swimming has improved a lot, I am training more and it is a lot harder. I have now swum 26sec for the 50 freestyle, which is pretty fast."

Mark Wilson is mentoring Thomas at the AIMS Games and rates his young charge highly.

"His height helps as he is a very tall boy. He swam for New Zealand Juniors and each of the last two years he has got seven gold medals," said Wilson.

"It helps the school does the swim programme in Australia as here it is the clubs. Everything is based around the swimming at his school. Competition is very tough over there."