Victorians make a splash on Day 1 as Col Pearse claims silver in Para swimming

Day 1 brought VIS-supported athletes their first Glasgow 2026 medal, along with a full slate of results across swimming and 3×3 wheelchair basketball on the opening day of competition. Para swimmer Col Pearse claimed silver in the men’s 100m butterfly S10 final, headlining a strong night in the pool that also saw three more Victorians book their place in Saturday’s finals.  

Pearse delivered the day’s standout moment, claiming silver in the men’s 100m butterfly S10 final in a time of 57.49. The Para swimmer, who won gold in the same event at Birmingham 2022, backed up his title-winning form in Glasgow with another podium finish. 

There was plenty more for VIS athletes to build on in the pool too as William Petric qualified for the men’s 200m individual medley final and finished fourth in a time of 1:57.87. Henry Allan booked his place in the men’s 50m backstroke final after finishing second in his semi-final in 24.87, while Sam Williamson and Zac Stubblety-Cook both advanced to the men’s 100m breaststroke final, Williamson finishing first in his heat in 59.27 and Stubblety-Cook fourth in his in 1:00.36. All three will return to the pool for their finals tomorrow morning, from 4am to 6.45am AEST on 26 July. 

Later in the evening on Day 1, Tomas Klein and the Australian 3×3 wheelchair basketball team played a valiant game but were ultimately defeated by England in a close game 16-13. 

• VIS that competed on Day 1: 6 
• Medals: 1 silver (Col Pearse, men’s 100m butterfly S10) 
• Debutants that competed on Day 1: 3

The Diamonds kick off their Games campaign tonight in Netball from 6pm to 9:30pm AEST followed by Henry Allan, Sam Williamson and Zac Stubblety-Cook who will headline Saturday’s session, all returning to the pool for their finals from 4am to 6.45am AEST. Lastly, we will see Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Team Final & Individual Qualification competing from 12:45am to 5:45am AEST.  

• 6:00pm-9:30pm (AEST) – Australia v Tonga featuring VIS athletes Joanna Weston, Kate Moloney, Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin  

• 7:30pm–9:30pm (AEST) – Women’s 100m Breaststroke featuring VIS athletes Tara Kinder and Ella Ramsay 

• 4:00am–6:45am (26 July AEST) – Women’s 100m Breaststroke Semi-Final potentially featuring VIS athletes Tara Kinder and Ella Ramsay  
• 4:00am–6:45am (26 July AEST) – Men’s 50m Backstroke Final featuring VIS Henry Allan  
• 4:00am–6:45am (26 July AEST) – Men’s 100m Breaststroke Final featuring VIS athletes Sam Williamson and Zac Stubblety-Cook 

• 12:45am-5:45am (26 July AEST) – Women’s Team Final & Individual Qualification featuring VIS athletes Breanna Scott, Emily Whitehead and Kate McDonald