Rising swimming star Hana Carnie dominated the backstroke events at the 2025 New Zealand Short Course Championships, held in Auckland from September 21-25.

The 13-year-old Wānaka Swim Club (WSC) athlete - and Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College student - claimed gold in the 50m, 100m, and 200m - breaking her own records in all three distances.

Her standout swim was the 200m, where she slashed almost three seconds off her July record, clocking 2:13.91.

She also achieved podium finishes in freestyle events.

Clubmate Luisa Palmer reached multiple open finals and collected eight medals. 

Luisa also broke two long-standing Otago records - setting new marks of 29:30 in the 50m backstroke and 1:06.04 in the 100m individual medley.

Sixteen-year-old Hinato Watanabe and 15-year-old Lara Bradford also competed for WSC. 

Coach Erika Ikade said their combined results ranked the club 18th out of 65 nationally.

"Since the NZ Age Group Champs in April, we have trained extra hard towards this competition and they gave it all to achieve their goals along with other commitments,” Erika told the Wānaka App.

“These outstanding results reflected their dedication and hard work. Well done to Lara, Hana, Luisa and Hinato."

PHOTO: Supplied