Lewis Clareburt wins world title with victory in 400m medley final in Doha

Lewis Clareburt of New Zealand reacts after winning the gold medal in the Men's 400m Individual Medley final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha. Photo / AP

A lost bag almost derailed Lewis Clareburt’s maiden world title at the World Aquatic Championships in Doha this morning.

Clareburt won the 400m individual medley final to join Erika Fairweather as the only Kiwis to win world titles in the history of the event. Fairweather did so last Monday, before picking up two further podiums in Doha.

Clareburt, the defending Commonwealth Games champion, won today’s final with a time of four minutes and 09.72 seconds, 00.68s ahead of Max Litchfield of Great Britain. Japan’s Daiya Seto was third.

The 23-year-old said it was a big confidence booster ahead of the Paris Olympics in July.

“I think I lost a lot of confidence in the last couple of years in myself and my ability. Having that moment where I was able to swim a pretty good time, I guess it gives me more confidence moving towards Paris.”

🇳🇿 Lewis Clareburt fending off opponents to secure the win in the 400m IM with a time of 4:09.72 🥇🏊‍♂️ #AQUADoha2024 pic.twitter.com/YbHGQNkfYy

— World Aquatics (@WorldAquatics) February 18, 2024

Clareburt had a moment of panic in the lead-up to the final when he lost his bag following the heats, which included swimsuits and goggles. The bag was recovered and returned shortly before today’s final.

“I went into lunch and left my bag outside the lunch area... came back and it was gone. I was like, ‘Oh no. I’ve got my best two suits in my bag and they’re not there anymore’.”

His time in the final was a second slower than his personal best, which he set when he won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham two years ago.

It was Clareburt’s first major meet since he made the move from his Wellington training base, leaving behind his long-standing coach Gary Hollywood, to train in Auckland.

“It was a huge risk to take to leave Gary and the home set-up that was working for me. Seeing results straight away is promising, but we’ve still got six more months to go to get it.”

The move north has brought a new routine that is likely unpopular with most fellow Olympic hopefuls.

“You wouldn’t believe this, but since I’ve moved to Auckland, part of my breakfast routine is getting a coffee and a pie from Z.”

Two-time defending champion and world record-holder Leon Marchand was not at the event and will be the heavy favourite racing at home at the Paris Olympics.

Despite Marchand skipping the event, it was still a strong field today, with Seto and American Carson Foster, who finished fourth, making the podium at last year’s event.

“History never shows who isn’t there. History only shows who is there. Merchard and a few other people were missing. but a world champs is a world champs,” Clareburt said.