The island nation has a remarkable streak of winning a gold medal at every World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships they have sent a team to, and based on the roster attending Netanya next month, there is every chance the ‘Aquablacks’ winning streak rolls on for another year.

In 2023 the nation will send seven swimmers to the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in the Mediterranean resort city of Netanya, Israel, with Finn Harland, Monique Wieruszowski, Milan Glintmeyer, Summer Osborne, Zoe Pedersen, Isabelle Gibson, and Brooke Bennett all set to represent New Zealand in Israel.

Harland and Gibson return to the junior international scene after representing the Aquablacks at the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Hawaii last year, while rising star Osborne will add another international meet to her growing resume after representing New Zealand in the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka last month.

Summer Osborne told World Aquatics that she was looking forward to taking on the best junior swimmers in the world following her Fukuoka experience and her senior international team debut at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Melbourne last year.

“Making the Aquablacks team this year for the World Aquatics Championships was amazing and made even more special by being poolside to cheer on Erika Fairweather when she won her bronze medal,” said Osborne. “I’ll always be Aquablack number 286 which is kinda’ cool. Representing your country on the world stage is the ultimate thrill.  It makes all those cold, early morning starts, worth it.”

While Osborne’s preparation for Netanya has been somewhat dictated by the swimming schedule back home where they are in the midst of ‘short course’ season, the 17 year-old has still been knocking off career-best times in a lead up to the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships.

“My preparation has been a bit up and down. I swam some PB’s last week at the New Zealand Short Course Championships. It’s not ideal jumping from short course to long course events, but it’s short course season down here and I’m still happy with my times,” said Osborne.

While New Zealand are still waiting for an inaugural world title at a World Aquatics Championships, at a junior level they punch well above their weight. Remarkably the nation has won a junior world title at every single World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships they have sent a team to, starting with Natalie Wiegersma in the 100m Backstroke at the inaugural championships in 2006.

In 2008 in Mexico they won five gold medals at the championships through Kurt Bassett in the 200m Backstroke, Orinoco Fa’amausili-Banse-Prince in the 50m Freestyle, and Daniel Bell’s massive haul of three golds in the 100m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly & 100m Butterfly.

Gabrielle Fa'amausili won the 50m Backstroke in 2013 and 2015, an extremely rare feat for a swimmer to defend a title at a ‘Junior Worlds’ given the age restrictions in place, and then recent Fukuoka bronze medalist Erika Fairweather took out the 200m Freestyle in 2019.

Swimming New Zealand's National Development Leader, Alastair Johnson, said he was optimistic about the 2023 team and that he expects another strong showing by the Aquablacks.

“I am delighted that we have selected a strong team of seven young athletes who have made the standard to compete at the 9th World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships to be held in Israel in September,” said Johnson.

“I am really looking forward to seeing the team do well in Israel, and for the athletes to enjoy the next stage of their swimming journey.”

Despite the small team, history suggests that the Aquablacks will again be competitive across the board. For Summer Osborne, a couple of early events in the program will lead into her most competitive race, the 200m Freestyle, over the final two days.

“I know there will be some fast swimmers at World Juniors but I’d love to make a final in the 200m Freestyle and swim a personal best time,” Osborne told World Aquatics.

“Our 4 x 100m Medley Relay should also go really well. We’ve got some really fast younger girls.”

“I’m really looking forward to joining up again with some of the Junior Pan Pacs team from Hawaii and getting to know the other girls better. We’re only a small team of seven swimmers - but we’ll be competitive!”

TOP PERFORMERS  |  New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships (12-16 April 2023)

Summer Osborne: 3 x Gold - 400m Freestyle (4:21.06), 100m Freestyle (56.70), 200m Freestyle (2:01.79), 400m Freestyle (4:21.06)

Finn Harland: 3 x Gold - 50m Backstroke (25.99), 100m Backstroke (57.57), 100m Freestyle (51.00) 

Monique Wieruszowski: 2 x Gold - 50m Breast (30.67), 100m Breaststroke (1:08.88)

Will New Zealand continue their junior worlds winning streak in Israel? Stay tuned to worldaquatics.com from the 4-9 September for daily updates from the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships.