Aussie teen eclipses Leisel Jones feat as poolside interview leaves fans stunned
Teen sensation Sienna Toohey has broken down pool side after collecting her ticket to the World Swimming Championships in Singapore having become the youngest Australian to break the 1:07 mark in the 100m breaststroke. Toohey has long been touted as a future swimming star for the Australian Dolphins having recently broken Liesel Jones' longstanding age group record in the 100m breaststroke.
And the 16-year-old has delivered in front of her swimming rivals at the Australian world championships trials this week having eclipsed Ella Ramsay to win the 100m breaststroke on Tuesday night. Toohey edged out in front of Olympic silver medallist Ramsay to finish with 1:06.55 and book her ticket to Singapore later this year.
She finished in front if Ramsay, 1:06.86, and Sienna Harben, 1:07.02, in a close swim. And immediately after the race, Toohey joined Aussie swimming icon Cate Campbell poolside for a chat.
And the 16-year-old was overcome with emotions have realised she had achieved a lifelong dream. "I am just so excited because I have worked so hard," Toohey said as she broke down in tears. "I was so nervous, I am just so happy I have done them proud.
"I have been training in Canberra for the last six weeks, because my club has taken a break, so it has been very hard. So coming out here I just knew I wanted to get it because I have made a lot of sacrifices and so has my family. So it's a lot. I know my brothers would miss me so much. They've just given up so much for me to be able to do this."
Ramsay was a little of her PB and was frustrated with her race knowing she hadn't undertaken too much sprint training heading into the trials. Regardless, Australia has a new face on the swimming scene with Toohey slowly working her way up the ranks.
In April, Toohey broke Jones' 23-old record of 1:07.31 to become the fastest 16-year-old. However, her latest achievement has seen her eclipse all other Australians and record the 9th fastest time ever for a junior. Not even the legendary Jones achieved this feat in the juniors. Although she does have some way to go to break Jones' PB of 1:05.09 in the 100m breaststroke, which she achieved in 2005.
"All of these people being my idols, now I get to be on the team with them," Toohey said after her swim. "These are people that I was watching two years ago, saying I want to be like them."
The moment 16-year-old Sienna Toohey broke through to cement her senior Dolphins selection with a massive PB 🤯🔥🐬With mum watching on, the girl from Albury won the women's 100m breaststroke (1:06.55) at the Australian Swimming Trials.Simply, sensational Sienna 👏🥹 🔗… pic.twitter.com/Z3yQJS0yp3
— Australian Dolphins Swim Team (@DolphinsAUS) June 10, 2025
16 years old and going to her first World Champs as a senior Dolphin!Sienna Toohey won the 100m breaststroke at the Aussie Swimming Trials last night in 1:06.55, a PB of more than half a second, which has secured the ticket to Singapore.#TeamAUS | @DolphinsAUS | @SwimmingAUS pic.twitter.com/3UBFJ0i5S7
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) June 11, 2025
Sienna Toohey climbs to ninth place all time pic.twitter.com/WVTyEvg6b0
— nuotostat (@nuotostat) June 10, 2025
Guys, we've got a good'un here. 16yo Sienna Toohey is going to be a star! https://t.co/vPUZQdQUGs
— John Dean (@JohnDean_) June 10, 2025
SIENNA TOOHEY OMG A 16YO JUST QUALIFIED FOR WORLD CHAMPS IN BREASTSTROKE WE FINALLY HAVE A GOOD BREASTROKER
— TeamThiem (@MedvedevMeddler) June 10, 2025
Having been around Toohey during her time at the Australian trials, five-time Olympic gold medallist Kaylee McKeown has offered some advice for the teenager. Having been through a similar career trajectory as the girl from Albury, McKeown claimed Toohey needs to try and enjoy as much of her development as possible as she joins the Australian Dolphins.
"Just to enjoy yourself," McKeown said when offering advice to Toohey. "The more you be serious, the more you're harsh on yourself, you keep just digging yourself in a bit of a hole and it's quite hard to get out of."
Only this week, McKeown offered an insight into her own struggles after the Paris Olympics. The Aussie sensation won four individual gold medals in Paris, but admitted the sudden change after an Olympics took a toll on her mental health as she took a little time away from the sport.
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