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The start of something extraordinary

Mincham Breaks National Mark in 1500m Finale

Auckland swimmer Michael Mincham has smashed a national record on his way to a ninth placing in the 1500m freestyle on the final day of the FINA World Junior Championships in Dubai.

Mincham, 17, clocked 15:31.53 to be ninth fastest in the timed final which took nearly seven seconds off the previous national age group record set by London Olympian Dylan Dunlop-Barrett four years ago.

The Waterhole club swimmer’s time was nearly a second off his previous best set when he broke the 16 years national age group record at the New Zealand Open Championships five months ago, and four seconds outside the national open record.

Mincham, who is based at The Southport School on the Gold Coast, had a conservative start going through the 400m in 4:07.19, settling into laps in the 31 second range before rattling home a fraction over the minute mark for his final 100m.

His performance brought an end to the New Zealand campaign in Dubai, which was highlighted by the gold medal yesterday to 13 year old Gabrielle Fa’amausili in the 50m backstroke.

The four-strong team won one gold medal, set three national age group records and one open record, one final and five semifinals.