THE RISE OF ELIJAH
ELIJAH WINNINGTON’S COMMONWEALTH GAMES DREAM BEGAN SIX YEARS AGO. NOW THE RISING SWIMMER’S GOAL IS WITHIN TOUCHING DISTANCE. EMMA GREENWOOD REPORTS
ELIJAH Winnington clearly remembers the day Gold Coast was awarded the Commonwealth Games.
He remembers the feeling of sheer determination that came over the then 11-yearold to ensure he was a part of the biggest event to be held in his home town.
Winnington has stamped himself as a rising star of Aussie swimming over the summer, caring little for reputations as he knocked over the sport’s big names to launch his Games bid.
MAKING A NAME
The talented teen, who trains with coach Richard Scarce at Bond University, beat Olympic champions Mack Horton and Gregorio Paltrinieri in the 400m at the NSW state titles last weekend before knocking off his training partner Cameron McEvoy in the 200m.
Quietly confident and level-headed, Winnington has the burning desire that was sparked six years ago when Gold Coast was named as host city of the Games.
“I remember the day the Coast was given the Commonwealth Games,” he said.
“I was racing at Chandler in Brisbane at a local meet and it came up on the big screen and they stopped racing and said: ‘It’s Gold Coast’ and sort of a weird feeling (came over me).
“Now it’s actually here six odd years later and I’m glad I will get the opportunity to even race at the trials.”
HOME FANS
The 17-year-old will have plenty of support when he tackles some of the most competitive events on the Games trials program, with Team Winnington watching.
“My parents have had to buy a fair few (tickets to the trials) for the whole family,” he said.
“(I’ve got) quite a big (family). We’re all pretty much around the Coast, I’ve got multiple cousins, grandparents, family, friends, people that have supported me the whole way.”
Winnington won’t be daunted by the pressure. As impressive as his actual swimming has been this summer – he also beat Horton to win the Queensland 200m title last month
– it’s the teen’s ability to take on the sport’s heavyweights and rise to the occasion that has pleased those such as national coach Jacco Verhaeren, who have watched his climb.
“He understands that he’s facing some big athletes ... and the events he’s racing - the 200m and 400m freestyle particularly aren’t easy events to get into the team for,” he said.
“But it’s great to see younger ones coming in and also providing upwards pressure.
“He seems to continue to progress, even while he’s in training, so that’s a great sign. “We should be very careful about predicting big futures. But the signs for him are very positive.”
STAYING GROUNDED
Winnington is not getting ahead of himself, though, and knows he will have to improve his best and maintain his fearless nerve in competition to make the team.
“Ever since 2016 when I made my first junior (national) team, I’ve been waiting for that moment to break on to that senior team,” he said.
Winnington received massive praise from McEvoy this week.
“Australia have thrown down so many amazing times for 17-year-olds,” he said.
“If you could rank the top times in the world done by those 18 and under, a lot of them are just 17-year-old Aussie blokes and Elijah’s very much in the mix of that.”