Human Interest |
General Interest |
Hobbies |
Playing golf, goal umpiring and DJing. (Swimming Australia 16 Jun 2010) |
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs |
He does not swim in Lane 9 or 0 during training. (Swimming Australia, 16 Jun 2010) |
Awards and honours |
He was named 2005 Australian Youth Swimmer of the Year. (Griffith University, 28 Dec 2006) |
Sport Specific Information |
Name of coach |
Grant Stoelwinder |
Further Personal Information |
Occupation |
Student |
General Interest |
Nicknames |
Lauto (Swimming Australia, 16 Jun 2010) |
Sport Specific Information |
Why this sport? |
At a school swimming competition he was shunted into the pool by a teacher who ordered him to do the 50m butterfly. "I got out at 30 metres and I was crying," he said. "The teacher took me to the other end and made me do another 50. I made the distance and from then I've been doing the butterfly." |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
He began competitive swimming at age 11. |
International Debut |
Year |
2004 |
Competing for |
Australia |
Location |
Suva |
General Interest |
Other information |
EARLY DAYS Former coach Glenn Baker said his talent had been apparent from early on and knew there was something good about him. He remembers he was big for his age, fit and with a very developed stroke. "He'd never had swimming lessons," Baker said. "He used to go down to the local pool, watch other people swim and copy what he saw." (The Age, 04 Jan 2003)
CLEO BACHELOR In 2008, he was named as a nominee for the Cleo Bachelor of the Year. (news.com.au, Feb 18 2008) |
Most influential person in career |
His family and friends. (Swimming Australia, 16 Jun 2010) |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Victory belongs to the most persevering." (Swimming Australia, 16 Jun 2010) |
Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning a bronze medal in the 100m butterfly at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. (fia.com.au, 14 Jul 2010) |
Other sports |
He has represented Victoria in Australian rules football and Victoria and Australia in baseball. (NOC, 14 May 2008) |
Sport Specific Information |
Coach from what year? |
2008 |
Further Personal Information |
Residence |
Sydney, NSW, AUS |
Sport Specific Information |
Club / Team |
Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre [SOPAC] and NSWIS: Gold Coast, QLD, AUS |
Further Personal Information |
Higher education |
Fitness and Exercise Management - Fitness Institute of Australia : Sydney, NSW, AUS |
General Interest |
Injuries |
He had major shoulder surgery at the end of 2008. (Swimming Australia, 16 Jun 2010) |
International Debut |
Tournament |
Oceania Championships |
Sport Specific Information |
Coach from which country? |
Australia |