Australia’s best swimmers have descended on Adelaide for the 2025 Australian World Championship Trials, held at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre from June 9–14. With places on the Australian Dolphins Swim Team up for grabs ahead of the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore (July 11–August 3), the pressure is high—and the performances are already world-class.

From proven Olympians to emerging teenagers, here’s a look at the swimmers to watch as the Dolphins prepare to take on the world.

 Current Dolphins to Watch

Kaylee McKeown – Australia’s Backstroke Powerhouse

Kaylee McKeown’s trials campaign started with drama—disqualified in the 50m backstroke heats for a false start. But after a successful appeal, she was reinstated and went on to qualify fastest with a blistering 27.27 seconds, comfortably under the qualifying standard.

As a five-time Olympic medallist and world record holder, McKeown remains the one to beat in backstroke, and she’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Mollie O’Callaghan – Consistency and Class

Olympic champion Mollie O’Callaghan was just behind McKeown in the 50m back with a time of 27.72 seconds. Known for her dominance in freestyle, O’Callaghan’s backstroke form shows her versatility and underscores why she’s one of the most important names in Australian swimming right now.

Expect to see her in multiple finals with a strong chance at medals in Singapore.

Sam Short – The Distance Freestyle Contender

Sam Short has already made waves this year, clocking 3:43.21 in the 400m freestyle—the second-fastest time in the world so far. The reigning World Champion is using this meet to rebound after a disappointing fourth-place finish in Paris.

With his sights set on gold in Singapore, Short is reminding everyone why he’s one of the Dolphins’ top medal prospects.

Lani Pallister – Breaking Barriers in the 400m

Lani Pallister cracked the four-minute barrier in the 400m freestyle final with a 3:59.72, showing that she’s hitting peak form at the perfect time.

She’s joined by Jamie Perkins, who also qualified in 4:04.03. Pallister’s endurance and smooth stroke make her a strong medal hopeful for Worlds—and a likely leader on the women’s team.

Emerging Talent: Australia’s Rising Stars

Sienna Toohey – A Breaststroke Record Breaker

Sixteen-year-old Sienna Toohey continues to make headlines, this time for breaking Leisel Jones’ long-standing 100m breaststroke national age record. Her time of 1:07.04 positions her as one of the top emerging swimmers to watch—especially with Paris 2028 on the horizon.

She’s not just a future star—she’s delivering now.

Lincoln Wearing – Distance Freestyle Breakout

Another young gun, Lincoln Wearing, broke Mack Horton’s 15-year-old 800m freestyle age record with an 8:03.73, eclipsing Horton’s 8:04.74. His effort puts him firmly on the radar for long-term development and a potential call-up to international competition in the near future.

 Where to Watch the Trials

You can catch the 2025 Australian Swimming Trials live on 9Now.

• Heats begin daily at 11:30 AM AEST

• Finals kick off at 8:00 PM AEST

If you’re a swim fan, this is unmissable viewing.

Final Thoughts from Jason Cram

As a former Dolphin myself, I know what these trials mean. It’s more than just hitting a time—it’s about legacy, pressure, and pride.

What’s exciting this year is the balance between experience and emerging talent. Our veterans are still leading, but there’s an exciting group of teenagers who aren’t just here to participate—they’re here to take over.

At Swimly, we work with both competitive swimmers and juniors who dream of reaching this level. And seeing names like Toohey and Wearing prove that the next generation is already knocking on the door.

👇 Stay Tuned

Follow Swimly on Instagram and Facebook for ongoing updates, race breakdowns, and swimmer insights from Head Coach Jason Cram.

Interested in building a performance mindset like the Dolphins?
Explore our Elite Coaching Packages or book a private session with a World Champion.