17/05/2026
NZ Champs Final Night, Meet Wrap & New Zealand Team Selections
What a way to finish the 2026 New Zealand Swimming Championships for Swim Rotorua.
The final day brought another big set of swims from our team. Ariel delivered a fantastic 400m Individual Medley, finishing 2nd Open in 4:20.28 and claiming the 17–18 years national title. Zack also stepped up strongly in the 400m IM, producing a huge drop from his heat to finishing in 4:50.68.
Olivia backed up again in the 50m Freestyle B Final after a massive week of racing. Noah finished his programme with a strong 50m Butterfly PB and 100m Backstroke, while Sinje closed out her meet in the 200m Breaststroke.
Across the week, our strong team of Olivia Emmett, Noah Lomas, Sinje Meyners, Ariel Muchirahondo and Zack Pask delivered finals, PBs, age-group podiums, open podium performances, national-level experience and some very special racing.
Ariel had an outstanding meet, with open podium performances, age-group national titles, New Zealand age-group records. Olivia was also exceptional across a very demanding programme, stepping up across sprint, middle-distance and distance events, collecting age-group podium results and showing real toughness throughout the week.
Zack showed great fight and composure in his across his swims. Noah learnt alot about open swimming as one of the younger swimmers in the field made a C final which is a great achievement. Sinje gained valuable national championship experience while representing the club with pride.
The biggest news came at the end of the meet with the New Zealand team announcements.
A huge congratulations to Ariel Muchirahondo, Olivia Emmett and Coach Aidan Withington, who have been selected to represent New Zealand at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships.
Congratulations also to Olivia Emmett, who has been selected to represent New Zealand at the World Junior Open Water Championships.
Ariel and Coach Aidan have also been selected for the Youth Olympic Games, subject to ratification.
These selections are a massive achievement for the athletes, their families, the coaching team and the whole Swim Rotorua community. They reflect years of hard work, belief, consistency and support from so many people.
Thank you to our parents, supporters, team managers, coaches and everyone back home who has followed, messaged and cheered the team on throughout the week.
Well done team. A fantastic week for Swim Rotorua and another huge step forward for the club.
Photo credit Swimming NZ BW Media
