Australian Paralympic swimmer Alexa Leary has made waves once again, breaking three world records at the Sydney Open over the weekend. The 23-year-old, who hails from the Sunshine Coast and is a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, impressed onlookers with her remarkable performances.
On Saturday night, Leary set a new S9 world record in the 50m freestyle, finishing with a time of 27.23 seconds—just 0.02 seconds faster than the previous record held by American swimmer Christie Raleigh Crossley.
The following day, she returned to the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre and not only reclaimed but also bettered her own world record in the 100m freestyle S9 during the heats, registering a time of 59.07 seconds. In the final later that evening, she further improved her record to 58.89 seconds, showcasing her extraordinary talent and competitive spirit. Remarkably, just last month, she had set her previous best in this event at 59.22 seconds during the national championships in Brisbane.
Following her record-breaking achievements, Leary expressed her determination, stating, “I was a little stressed about it because I knew I had hit the record in the heat. But I just knew that I had so much passion and determination to break it again.”
Leary’s journey has been nothing short of incredible. At 19, she suffered life-threatening injuries after a serious cycling accident. The crash resulted in her breaking multiple bones, including her ribs, skull, and leg, and left her with permanent brain damage that affects her memory, emotions, and physical capabilities. Despite these challenges, she has shown remarkable resilience and drive, often surprising her parents with her progress.
With her recent achievements, Leary feels more motivated than ever. “The more personal bests I’m getting, the more passion and determination I have,” she said. Looking ahead, she is eagerly preparing for the world championship trials set for June in Adelaide, before the championships take place in Singapore later in September.
“I’m so ready, I just want to swim and race,” she shared enthusiastically, indicating her excitement about competing with an inspiring team. With her combination of skill and tenacity, Leary is poised to continue making headlines in the world of Paralympic swimming.