Presser thriving in fresh domain
TWEED’S Rachel Presser has her sights set on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after leading the Gold Coast Mermaids to first place at the Australian National Synchronised Swimming Championships.
The Mermaids won 14 gold, six silver and three bronze medals in the pool at the championships after earning their place at the nationals by winning the Queensland Synchronised Swimming Championships in March.
Presser, an 18-year-old arts/ journalism student from Banora Point, used to be a standout gymnast and dancer.
But when the dance company Presser used to attend went bust, and her mum saw an ad in the paper for synchronised swimming classes, Presser thought she would find out if her on-land acrobatic skills were amphibious.
“I fell in love with the sport as soon as I tried it. It was so different yet so familiar,” Presser said.
“Some skills I could transfer, like flexibility and strength … it’s so unique.
“You get to try to do something that no one else could, things that take years of training. That is special.”
Presser now studies at Griffith University, juggling her uni work with a position on both the Australian senior and junior synchronised swimming teams.
Presser flies to Tokyo today for the FINA World Series Japan Open as she continues to build towards a potential Olympic Games berth.
“The Olympics Games in Tokyo 2020 is the ultimate goal,” she said.
“Even though Tokyo is only two years away, in synchro there is always lots of room for improvement.
“I’m going to have to give it my all to make it on to that team.”