Australian gold medallist Alexa Leary challenges Matt Shirvington and Mark Beretta to 100m swimming race

7NEWS

23-04-2025

Fresh off a new world record in the pool, Australian swimming superstar Alexa Leary has served up a challenge for a two-on-one race against Sunrise's Matt Shirvington and Mark Beretta.
Leary won the 100m freestyle multi-class national title on Tuesday night hours after a 59.22-second heat swim that broke the historic mark she set to win gold at the Paris Paralympics last year.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Shirvo challenged to 100m race against world-record holder.
As it turns out the 23-year-old never expected to get close to her previous best in Brisbane this week.
'It was crazy,' Russell told Sunrise on Thursday.
'That morning, she rang us and said 'look, mum and dad, don't come to the heat. I'm feeling sick. I've got a stomach ache'.
'So we didn't go. Next thing all our phones are beep, beep, beep. She didn't know that she had won it. It's crazy, crazy.'
Leary was in shock when told of her record on the pool deck.
Russell said the reasons why she was so surprised went far beyond her illness on the day.
'She had a really hard week the week before with her traumatic brain injury,' he said.
'It's really tough on her. She has bad days and good days. It was a real lift for her too. It was great.'
Leary fell off her bike in a near-fatal accident in 2021, leaving her with brain damage and several long-term injuries.
More than once, doctors informed her parents they should prepare to say goodbye to their daughter.
Searching for answers and hope, Leary's parents turned to a clairvoyant who predicted that the swimmer would rise to become a Paralympic gold medallist.
She has achieved that and more, with the 2026 Commonwealth Games now on the horizon.
But life remains 'hard', according to mum Belinda, who at the same time is seriously impressed with her daughter's progress.
'It's not easy for Alexa on a normal day. If you know much about traumatic brain injuries, you never know what you're going to get each day,' Belinda said.
'Emotions run high and low and she's all over the place, really, at times. But she's improving daily.
'We see massive improvements in her. Even the way she conducts herself in public, the way that she speaks, her behaviour's getting better.
'It's not easy by all means for Lex. It's a really tough journey, but being in the pool has really enhanced everything for her and she's just a little superstar.'
Leary was a keen athlete before her accident and now wants to come full circle with an old friend.
'Berretts goes back a long way with Alexa. He actually gave her a medal when she won the Noosa open swim 10 years ago,' Russell said.
'He's been in her life for a long time. So I reckon that Shirvo and Berretts take on Alexa for the 100. Shirvo does 50, Beretts does 50.
'She'll give them a 20-second start. Now I reckon that's a deal.'
Shirvo replied: 'Are we talking freestyle?'
Russell said: 'You're up for a challenge, you're up for it? You can do whatever you like. Dog paddle, doesn't matter.'
Shirvo responded: 'Don't make it butterfly or I'm absolutely stuffed. It may end up looking dog paddle at the end.'
'See you in the pool, can't get out of it now,' Shirvo said as the interview wrapped up.
Russell replied: 'Start training!'
Just when the race could fit into Leary's busy schedule is unclear.
'She's got the trials coming up, then she's got Singapore — the world titles, and then Glasgow (Commonwealth Games) next year,' Russell said.
'Very exciting for her. It gives her something to aim for and something to get out of bed for.'
Belinda added: 'It gives her a purpose, it's great.'
'She loves the training because she's such hyper-active person, she needs it,' mum said.
'She trains nine times a week. She's in the gym. Never, ever, ever not wants to go to training. It's just something that's in her, she's very driven. Wants to achieve.'