Elijah Winnington

Biography

Elijah Winnington has carved out a remarkable journey in the highly competitive world of swimming. Hailing from Benowa, Queensland, Elijah first made waves on the international stage with his stunning performance in the 400m freestyle at the 2022 Budapest World Championships. Finishing in an impressive time of 3:41.22, he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with.

His trajectory to success wasn't without obstacles. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Elijah clocked the fastest 400m freestyle time in the lead-up but narrowly missed the podium, finishing seventh. However, this setback only fueled his determination. He made a strong comeback at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, capturing the gold in the 400m freestyle and securing multiple relay golds, showcasing his versatility and team spirit.

From his early days training at Bond University under Richard Scarce to becoming captain of the 2016 Junior Australian Team, Elijah's dedication to the sport has been unwavering. He amassed 26 National Age Championship gold medals by the age of 18, setting the stage for his senior international debut at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Training with esteemed coach Dean Boxall at St Peters Western, Elijah continued to break personal bests and national records. His defining moments came at the Australian Olympic Trials and world championship events, where he frequently battled head-to-head with fellow Australian swimming stars.

In 2024, Elijah reached new heights by securing silver medals in the 400m and 800m freestyle at the world championships in Doha. He further reinforced his dominance at the Australian Open Championships, narrowly outpacing his fierce competitor Sam Short. With his eyes set on further Olympic glory, Elijah Winnington remains one of Australia’s brightest swimming talents.