Sam Williamson breaking through for the first swimming Aussie gold of World Aquatics Championships

Australia could have a new medal threat at the Paris Olympics after a breakthrough world championships win.

Australia's Sam Williamson poses with his gold medal Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

New world champion Sam Williamson has gone from the couch to a world champion with a bold showing at the Paris Olympics now in his sights after breaking through for the first Aussie swimming gold at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha.

Williamson took out the 50m breaststroke and was stunned he was a world champion capturing his first individual gold medal at an international event and his time was the fourth fastest 50m breaststroke in history.

The 26-year-old was back on the podium later collecting silver in the mixed relay on a big night for the Australian team which won a medal in all four finals they had swimmers in.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet. Someone else someone actually said it before, and I had to pause and ask them … am I really world champion? What does it mean?”

“It’s an incredible experience. I just wish everyone back home was here to celebrate it. Two years ago, I was sitting at home watching the swimming and just thought you know what that could be me one day.

“So I just put my head down and work my ass off to get here. This isn’t an Olympic event … I have to do two laps and my next goal is to get back in the pool and train and give myself the best chance of Paris.”

Australia's Sam Williamson poses with his gold medal (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Williamson out-touched Nicolo Martinenghi by seven-hundredths while Nic Fink, the new 100 breaststroke world champion, won bronze.

Elijah Winnington also won silver in the men’s 800m freestyle in a personal best of 7:42.95 from lane eight.

Winnington, silver medallist in the 400m, led for the first 10 laps before being reeled in by Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri and declared he wasn’t even in “Olympic shape” yet.

“I looked across and saw his (Paltrinieri’s) feet and thought I have to lift. I was actually having a lot of fun because I usually don’t race these guys and I think that was a benefit to me as I didn’t really have pressure on myself,” he said.

”I’m not in Olympic shape yet and I’m stoked.”

For Dolphin stalwart Throssell, her bronze in the 200m freestyle was the long service gift she so richly deserved. Throssell now has 15 world championship medals – from six world championship campaigns – but this was her first individual medal.

“I’m just really proud. Being 28 … I want to give hope to the people who are a little bit older, and this shows perseverance pays off. I’m really overwhelmed to be honest and … freestyle is never something I thought I’d be racing internationally and to be on the podium, is incredible.”

😱😱An intense showdown in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke as 🇦🇺Sam Williamson clinches victory in a close finish against 🇮🇹Nicolo Martinenghi, 🇺🇸Nic Fink, and 🇬🇧Adam Peaty! 🏊‍♂️🏆 #AQUADoha2024pic.twitter.com/wDhiGNIyIl

— World Aquatics (@WorldAquatics) February 14, 2024



Originally published as Sam Williamson breaking through for the first swimming Aussie gold of World Aquatics Championships