Naomi Young
Australian synchronized swimming champion and Olympian
‘What I like about
synchronized swimming is the combination of dancing and swimming, and that it’s
creative. From the age of 12 I had a lot more control over my routines, and I
found choreography enormously fun and rewarding.’
Naomi Young (born 1976) grew up
in Guildford, and began swimming at Granville pool as a therapeutic measure to
ease leg and foot problems. At nine Naomi began synchronized swimming, and
three weeks later competed in the 1985 NSW championships, coming third in the
solo (12 years and under). In 1987 Naomi came first at the State championships,
and second at the Australian championships, both in solo. Naomi became
Australian champion in her age group the following year, and joined the national
team in 1990.
At the 1993 Junior World
championships Naomi came first in figures. From 1993 to 2002, Naomi was the
Australian champion in the Open solo. Naomi’s proudest moment was at the 1998
Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, when she won two silver medals for her duet and
solo routines. Naomi also competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. At the
2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games Naomi was awarded a bronze in the solo, and a
bronze for her duet with fellow Granville swimmer, Ashleigh Rudder.
In 1993 Naomi and her parents
Brian and Helen Young began the Ariel synchronized swimming club. The following
year Ariel swimmers won the National championships in the duet (12 years and
under), and Ariel became the biggest synchro club in Australia.
Images:
1. Naomi Young at Granville pool,
aged 14, 1991
2. Naomi Young and Ashleigh Rudder
in their duet at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games
3. Naomi Young at Granville pool,
date?
4. Naomi and other Ariel
synchronized swimming club swimmers at Granville, date?
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