Sport
18 May, 2026
Swimmers champion Far North
CAIRNS Mudcrabs Masters Swimming Club members have returned from the National Championships in Brisbane with medals and personal bests after competing against more than 800 swimmers from around Australia and overseas.
Club president Jo Maher said Cairns swimmers performed strongly at the event, with club member Petrina (surname withheld) winning one gold medal and two bronze medals in her age group.
Ms Maher said the championships marked Petrina’s first competition since she was a teenager.
She said Petrina “came home with two bronze and a gold for the open water swim in her age group and beat all her times”.
Ms Maher also competed at the championships and said she achieved 12 personal bests.
“I was the other swimmer, so I didn’t get any medals, but I came home 12 out of 12 personal bests,” she said.
Coach Gaby Donnelly attended the championships but was unable to compete due to injury.
Ms Maher said she still played an important role, supporting swimmers and serving as the events coordinator for Masters Swimming Queensland.
The Cairns Mudcrabs Masters Swimming Club trains at Woree and Gordonvale pools and includes members ranging from their 20s to their 90s.
Ms Maher said the club catered for swimmers of all abilities, from recreational swimmers to competitors training for open-water events, triathlons and Ironman races.
