UQ swimmer heads for Japan

UQ SPORT scholarship holder Melanie Schlanger will be among the rising stars of Australian swimming to contest an international meet in Japan next month.

The UQ science student and 2007 World Championship gold medallist is part of a 30-strong squad to compete at the event, which will see swimmers from more than 20 countries compete from August 21-24.

Ms Schlanger will race in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, as well as the 4 x 100m and possibly 4 x 200m freestyle relay.

As the competition is only a four-day event it will mean a demanding schedule for the 20-year-old, but Ms Schlanger said she was looking forward to the challenge.

“It's always a buzz to compete for Australia and to compete internationally at this meet will be a great opportunity for me to gain some more experience racing at that level,” she said.

Having recently returned from a grueling tour of races in Europe, Ms Schlanger said she would have to be in peak condition to challenge her competitors.

“The competition in my events has always been tough. With Jodie (Henry) and Libby (Lenton) both in the 100 freestyle, just to make an Australian team for an individual swim requires a near world record.

“That said, I've always swum to be the best I can be, and if I want to be the best in the world, I need to race the best in the world. So in that sense it’s a good thing to have such great competition in your own backyard.”

With Beijing 2008 on the horizon, Ms Schlanger said she would be hoping she could use the upcoming meet to boost her claim for Olympic selection.

“I am definitely looking to swim fast in Japan, and use confident racing as a springboard into the final months before the Olympic trials,” she said.

Media: Cassandra Erbs at UQ SPORT (07 3371 7229, cassandrae@uqsport.uq.edu.au)