Teen Sienna Toohey breaks Leisel Jones’ 24-year mark in stunning swim

A record set by an all-time great way back at the 2000 Olympics has finally been broken in emphatic style by an emerging star.

Emerging teenager Sienna Toohey has wiped one of Australian swimming’s most celebrated names from the record books at the Australian Olympic trials in Brisbane.

Leisel Jones, a four-time Olympian and one of the sport’s best ever breaststrokers, launched to prominence at the Sydney Olympics back in 2000.

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Just 15 years old at the time, Jones claimed an unexpected silver medal at those Games in the 100m breaststroke in a time of 1:07.49, breaking Australia’s national age record in the process.

It has taken 24 long years, but that mark has finally been snapped and in emphatic style by Albury sensation Toohey.

In her first Olympic trials final, Toohey stunned the field by leading after the first lap from lane two, scorching through the first 50m in 31.01.

As you can see in the video player above, she tired a little down the back stretch and would ultimately touch third behind 27-year-old Jenna Strauch and Ella Ramsay, 19.

Sienna Toohey and Leisel Jones. Photos: Instagram/News Corp

But her time of 1:07.01 carved a hefty 0.48 from Jones’ time and stamped Toohey as a star of the future.

It was also an impressive 0.71 below her previous personal best set at the age championships in April, but Toohey conceded afterwards Jones’ mark was her main target.

“It was my goal for this race,” she told reporters. “I didn’t care what I came, I just knew I wanted to break it.”

In another demonstration of Toohey’s stellar performance, then 16-year-old American Megan Quann won gold ahead of Jones back in 2000 in a time of 1:07.05, which still stands as the US 15-16 national age record.

Toohey’s effort on Tuesday night was also below that mark.

Jones (far right), seen alongside Emily Seebohm, Jessica Schipper and Lisbeth Lenton, is one of Australia’s most decorated Olympians. Photo: Mark Baker

While Toohey wasn’t born for most of Jones’ career, she has watched some of the three-time Olympic gold medallist’s performances in the pool.

Her first Olympic experience will likely have to wait until the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, but Toohey was overjoyed by her efforts in Brisbane.

“I didn’t know what I was feeling, I just lost what I was feeling while I was swimming,” she said.

“I knew I was going fast but I didn’t know I was going that fast.

“I was just so excited, it is honestly just so surreal and I’m lost for words.”

Toohey swims out of the Albury Swim Club and also has an association with the Gould Swim Academy in North Albury.

Toohey’s Instagram posts after her record-breaking swim.

The Gould Academy posted a video of her swim from Tuesday night on Facebook and there was an outpouring of support for the star in the making.

“Incredible swim!!!! I thought she was going to go all the way!! So very cool – well done Sienna and you super coaches!” was one comment.

Another wrote: “Wow what a swim in the final, you showed everyone in Australia how brave and courageous you are being the youngest swimmer in the field going out and putting them all on notice … you should be so happy and proud of what you have achieved this season and the exciting part is that this is only the beginning.”

A third wrote: “Absolutely mind blowing and awe inspiring.”

Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown, Kyle Chalmers and the rest of the superstar Aussie swimmers are competing at the trials, which run until Saturday at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre.

Originally published as Teen Sienna Toohey breaks Leisel Jones’ 24-year mark in stunning swim