Isaac Cooper

Biography

Isaac Cooper hails from Bundaberg, Queensland, and has always had a need for speed in the pool. He began his swimming journey at the Fairymead Swimming Club, excelling under the guidance of coaches Paul Simms and Scott Hamlet. Known for his swift backstroke, Isaac clinched victory in the 50m backstroke at the 2020 Queensland Short Course Championships with a record-breaking time of 24.37 seconds. This achievement set new age and all-comers records in Queensland as well as an Australian age record.

Isaac's impressive performances continued into 2021, where he won the men's 50m backstroke at the UniSport National Swimming Championships with the third fastest time in Australian history. His dedication earned him a spot on the Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo 2021, where he helped secure a bronze medal in the 4x100m mixed medley relay.

In the following years, Isaac continued to thrive, bagging a silver medal in the mixed medley relay at the 2022 Budapest World Championships. That same year, he set a junior world record in the 50m backstroke at the World Short Course Championships in Melbourne, even though the race was controversially re-swum after a false start.

Isaac’s innovative approach to training, which included a mix of surfing, tennis, and martial arts, paid off in 2023 when he joined the Australian team for the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. His training adjustments reduced his pool time significantly but kept him competitive and fresh.

In 2024, Isaac struck gold at the World Championships in Doha, finishing the 50m backstroke in 24.13 seconds despite some navigational challenges in the pool. With the 50m backstroke not featured in the Paris Olympics, he swiftly shifted his focus to the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle. At the Australian Olympic trials, he won the 100m backstroke and finished third in the 50m freestyle, solidifying his status as one of Australia's premier swimmers.