South Australia’s swimmers returned from the 2025 Australian Open Championships in Brisbane with national titles, state records, and momentum in spades. A strong campaign across both able-bodied and Multi-Class events, the championships underlined the depth and strength of some of the state’s club programs.
Twenty-seven athletes from eight South Australian clubs (Marion, Norwood, Tea Tree Gully, Southern Performance, Purruna, Immanuel, Onkaparinga, and STARplex) represented the state at the 2025 Australian Open Championships. Of those, sixteen athletes progressed to finals across the week, delivering podium finishes, national records, and breakthrough swims on the national stage.
Brittany Castelluzzo (Tea Tree Gully) led the way in the Open program, producing a standout gold medal swim in the 200m Butterfly to become Australian Champion, setting a new South Australian Open record of 2:06.86. She also added bronze in the 200m Freestyle, confirming her status as one of the country’s leading middle-distance performers.
Molly Walker (Southern Performance) was untouchable in the 18–19 years age category, completing a clean sweep of the distance freestyle events with gold medals in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m Freestyle. The triple triumph earned her three Australian Age Champion titles, an extraordinary showing that firmly places her among the nation’s best emerging talents.
In the Multi-Class events, Taylor Corry (Purruna) delivered another exceptional meet, collecting silver medals in the 200m Freestyle and 100m Butterfly (S14). Across the week, she set seven new South Australian Multi-Class records, including the 50m Butterfly (30.89), 100m Freestyle (1:03.52), 200m Medley (2:38.73), and 50m Backstroke (33.63) in a dominant all-stroke performance from one of SA’s most decorated para athletes.
Jasmin Fullgrabe (Marion) added to the medal tally with silver in the 200m Medley (S9), while also rewriting the state record books in the 50m Butterfly (32.68) and 100m Freestyle (1:06.41), capping off her strong national campaign.
Harrison Biddell (Marion) picked up bronze in the 200m Breaststroke, part of a large showing from the Marion team that also saw Albert Damin An, Clancy Luscombe, and Ryan Clifford put together competitive finals swims across breaststroke, freestyle, and medley events.
Outside the medals, Charlie Wilkins (Onkaparinga) and Gabriel Cregan (Immanuel) continued SA’s strong Multi-Class momentum, each setting South Australian records in their classifications. Wilkins broke the S18 records in both the 50m and 100m Freestyle, while Cregan set a new S19 benchmark in the 100m Freestyle with a time of 59.67.
With athletes stepping onto the podium, breaking state records, and reaching new personal bests, it was a championship that highlighted the state’s strength across all levels, from established performers to emerging finalists, and across both the Open and Age pathways.
For many athletes, the focus now shifts to the 2025 Australian Swimming Trials, to be held this June in Adelaide, which will be the official selection meet for the Australian Dolphins Swim Team ahead of the World Aquatics Championships and World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore.
For others, Brisbane marked the close of their 2024/25 long course season, with short course racing now set to begin in South Australia from May.
Whether chasing national team selection or rounding out a strong domestic campaign, South Australia’s swimmers showed once again that they belong - in the finals, on the podium, and in the conversation.
