Gold Coast swimmers dominate Pan Pacs team

GOLD Coast swimmers will make up a third of Australia’s team for the Pan Pacific Championships in an incredible sign of the strength of the sport in the city.

Eleven Gold Coasters will head to Tokyo for next month’s championships in a meet that will give crucial insight into the Olympic city ahead of the 2020 Games.

Among them is teen tyro Elijah Winnington who qualified for the team at this week’s trials in Adelaide by claiming the 200m and 400m freestyle.

Queensland will provide an incredible 26 members of the 32-strong team which includes three open-water swimmers.

TSS distance swimmer Madeline Gough qualified for the 1500m freestyle.

Alexander Graham (Bond), David Morgan (TSS Aquatics), James Roberts (Somerset), Elijah Winnington (Bond).

Madeleine Gough (TSS Aquatics), Madeline Groves (Griffith University), Emma McKeon (Griffith University), Kiah Melverton (TSS Aquatic), Leiston Pickett (Southport Olympic), Laura Taylor (TSS Aquatic).