Latest Queensland Distance Prodigy Lincoln Wearing Breaks Kieren Perkins 35-year-old 800m Freestyle Record
Queensland’s latest distance freestyle prodigy, Lincoln Wearing, has tonight taken down a 35-year-old Kieren Perkins record, set by the former king of the pool at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
Wearing (Chandler Swim Club) broke Perkins’ Australian 16 years 800m freestyle record, with a time of 7:56.80 (26.92; 56.62; 1:56.81; 2:57.39; 3:57.93; 4:57.94; 5:58.43; 6:58.51) 1.15secs under the long-standing mark of 7:57.93 on night four of the Hancock Prospecting Queensland Championships.
Coming home the final 100m in 58.29 to seal the record in style, ahead of his twin brother Isaac who won the silver medal in 8:17.62, with Riley Meares (St Peters Western) third in 8:23.20.
Perkins record was actually his 800m split time clocked on his way to the Commonwealth Games silver medal behind Glen Housman in the 1500m final in Auckland.
The name Kieren Perkins was the name on everyone’s lips as he ruled the lanes throughout the 1990s – a boy who would become a two-time Olympic champion as he re-wrote the world record books for the 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle in a stellar 10-year career between 1990 and 2000.
Wearing, who swims for the host club Chandler, burnt up his hometown pool at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, knowing full well that Perkins record was well and truly within his grasp.
“I was definitely going for it, knowing what Kieren did on his way to the Olympics, he’s done it all so breaking his record, it’s huge,” said Wearing, who broke another legend Grant Hackett’s 1500m Age record 12 months ago.
“I was actually aiming for a 7:54, but to get that record I can’t complain, and I’ve got Australian Age Nationals next year and I’m still 16 so hopefully I can go under it again.
“It’s such a thrill to be able to have the opportunity to race here after training hard, knowing I had Kieren’s record in my sights, that was my goal tonight, to go under it, so I’m thrilled.
“I was really happy with my 400m time of 3:48.15 yesterday so I knew I had a good shot at the record coming into the 800m.
“I was really hyped and I was confident going into the race; it felt pretty fast and coming into the 400m turn, I knew I could come back pretty hard – I felt good throughout the entire race.
“It will be good to step up to race the older boys later in the season.”
Wearing started his meet winning the 100m freestyle in 50.47; then added the 400 and 800m, with the 200m freestyle and the 1500m freestyles to come as well as the 200 backstroke.
