Clareburt bags his first world title
Kiwi star gears up for Olympics with a gold medal performance despite losing his bag
Alost bag almost derailed Lewis Clareburt’s maiden title at the world aquatic championships in Doha yesterday. Clareburt won the 400m individual medley final to join Erika Fairweather as the only Kiwis to win world titles in the history of the long course event. Fairweather did so last Monday, before picking up two further podiums in Doha.
Clareburt, the Commonwealth Games champion, won yesterday’s final in 4m 09.72s, 0.68s ahead of Great Britain’s Max Litchfield, with Japan’s Daiya Seto third.
The 23-year-old said his win was a big confidence booster ahead of the Paris Olympics in July.
“I think I lost a lot of confidence in the last couple of years in myself and my ability. Having that moment where I was able to swim a pretty good time, I guess it gives me more confidence moving towards Paris.”
Clareburt had a moment of panic in the lead-up to the final when he lost his bag containing his swimsuits and goggles after his heat. The bag was recovered and returned shortly before the final.
“I went into lunch and left my bag outside the lunch area . . . came back, and it was gone. I was like, ‘Oh no, I’ve got my best two suits in my bag and they’re not there any more’.”
His time in the final was a second slower than his personal best, which he set when he won gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games two years ago.
The Doha world championships were Clareburt’s first major meet since moving from Wellington, leaving long-time coach Gary Hollywood to train in Auckland.
“It was a huge risk to leave Gary and the home set-up that was working for me. Seeing results straight away is promising but we’ve still got six more months to go to get it.”
The move north has brought a new routine that is likely unpopular with most fellow Olympic hopefuls.
“You wouldn’t believe this, but since I’ve moved to Auckland, part of my breakfast routine is getting a coffee and pie from Z.”
World record holder Leon Marchand was not at the event and will be the favourite racing at home at the Paris Olympics.
The 21-year-old won both the 200m and 400m individual medley events at the two previous world championships in 2022 and 2023.
Despite Marchand skipping the event, yesterday’s field was still strong, with Seto and American Carson Foster, who finished fourth, making the podium at last year’s event.
“History never shows who isn’t there. History only shows who is there. Marchand and a few other people were missing. but a world champs is a world champs,” Clareburt said.
Having that moment where I was able to swim a good time, it gives me more confidence moving towards Paris. Lewis Clareburt