Swimming: Boyle most decorated NZer at university games

Lauren Boyle. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New Zealand swimmer Lauren Boyle returns home next week for a well-earned rest after her record-breaking stint in China.

Boyle, 23, completed her programme with a bronze medal in the 1500m freestyle on the penultimate night of competition in the pool at the world university games in Shenzhen.

She was joined in the celebrations by Glenn Snyders who claimed his second gold medal of the games with victory in the 50m breaststroke, setting a national record in the process.

He has a chance to add to this in the medley relay on tomorrow's programme.

Boyle clocked 16 minutes 26.37 seconds to be just outside Cara Baker's national record in a hard fought final.

She celebrated all sorts of records at the games, becoming the most successful New Zealand athlete in any sport with her five medals.

She edged ahead of swimming great Anthony Mosse who won four medals.

Boyle is the first kiwi to win five medals at a single university games, with Mosse's haul spread over three Games.

She is the first New Zealander to win two gold medals and also has helped the Swimming New Zealand team to a remarkable 11 medals with one day remaining.

This week Boyle has won two gold medals, two silver and a bronze along with lowering her own New Zealand record in the 800m freestyle.

This follows an outstanding campaign at the world championships in Shanghai two weeks ago where she reached the finals in the 400m and 800m freestyle and the semifinals in the 200m, setting national records in all.

Boyle leaves her China sojourn now ranked in the top-10 in the world over 400m and 800m freestyle and 15th on corrected rankings in the 200m freestyle.

"I've been really happy with backing up my performances from the world champs," Boyle said. "After relaxing a bit I did some more volume in training and then concentrated on getting really excited about this meet.

"This is my first time at a world university games. For me it's really an honour to compete here because I really value my education but I also really enjoy sport.

"I'm honoured to be the most successful New Zealand athlete at the World University Games. I just wanted to gear up against some really tough competitors and practice different strategies.

"I had no idea I would come out from this campaign with such successful results so I am really happy with the decisions I've made with my swimming career and enjoying being back in New Zealand," said Boyle who returned to Auckland fulltime in May after completing a degree from the University of California Berkeley.

Snyders, also coached by Regan, impressed tonight with an outstanding swim, starting strongly and covering the field in the 50m breaststroke.

After tensing up to fade over the final 10m in the 100m final, Snyders was all class tonight to win in 27.37sec from Brazil's Joao Gomes Jnr.

His time further lowered his own New Zealand record of 27.52sec set at the world championships and was the seventh fastest time in the world this year.

His victory follows his gold medal in the 200m and silver in the 100m breaststroke.

Tomorrow's final day in the pool sees Tash Hind, Amaka Gessler, Carl O'Donnell and Nielsen Varoy in the 50m freestyle, Melissa Ingram and Jesse Blundell in the 200m backstroke, Katie Kenneally in the 100m breaststroke, Jonathon Pullon and Troy Balvert in the 1500m freestyle and the New Zealand men's team in the medley relay.

Day 5 Finals Results:

1500m freestyle: Haley Anderson (USA) 16:21.72, 1; Melania Costa Schmid (ESP) 16:21.79, 2; Lauren Boyle (NZL) 16:26.37, 3.

50m breaststroke: Glenn Snyders (NZL) 27.37, 1 (NZ Record); Joao Gomes Jnr (BRA) 27.60, 2; Mattia Pesce (ITA) 27.80, 3. Also: Nick Ferrif (NZL) 28.26, 6.

200m freestyle: McLean (USA) 1:47.44, 1; Clement Lefert (FRA) 1:47.78, 2; Sho Uchida (JPN) 1:49.06, 3. Also: Matthew Stanley (NZL) 1:49.16, 4.

- NZPA