Swimming: Kiwi grabs Australian title

Kane Radford. Photo / Martin Sykes

Rotorua swimmer Kane Radford upset his fancied rivals to win the 5km title at the Australian Open Water Championships near Sydney.

Radford had one of the best wins of his career to claim the race which doubled as an Australian selection trial for the distance at the world championships.

The New Zealander worked into a good position behind top Australian Codie Grimsey through the first 3km and made his move with 800 metres remaining, taking the lead and going on to win in 56m 32s.

Radford missed out on selection for the world championships in the 10km on Saturday after he finished seventh.

"While this won't get him to the world championships, it was a real boost for him and his coach Mark Regan," said Swimming New Zealand open water manager, Philip Rush.

"They have worked very hard in recent weeks and this is the reward.

"Winning a national title in Australia in swimming is never easy, let alone when it is a world championship trial."

Fellow New Zealander Cara Baker, who qualified in the 10km for the world championships on Saturday, finished third in the women's 5km race behind training mates Bonnie McDonald and Danielle Defrancesco.

- NZPA