Minna Atherton

Minna Atherton is an Australian female swimmer born on 17th May 2000. She is a native of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. Minna is a Backstroke specialist and represents her country in 100m Backstroke.

Background:

Minna Atherton was born to Jon Atherton and Janine Atherton. She was born and brought up in Brisbane, Queensland.

Mina began to take up swimming at a young age. She attended Brisbane Grammar School, where she pursued competitive swimming at the behest of her physical education teacher after she saw her excelling well at the school carnivals. In 2012, at the age of 12, she emerged as Australian Age Nationals Champion and also shattered the Australian Age record.

In 2017, after graduating from Brisbane Grammar School, Mina joined Bond University on scholarship, where she is pursuing a degree in Biomedical Science. She currently trains with Brisbane Grammar Swimming Club under the tutelage of David Lush. Mina represents the swimming club at Australian Swimming Championships.

Rise to Glory:

Minna Atherton received her first national break in 2015 when she won the Bronze medal in 50m Backstroke at the Australian Swimming Championships. That year, in August, she broke into the international scene with three Gold medals in 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke, and 4x100m Freestyle and as many Silver in 50m Backstroke, 4x100m Medley, and 4x100m Mixed Medley at the World Junior Swimming Championships.

At the 2016 Australian Swimming Championships, Minna won two Silver medals in 50m Backstroke and 4x100m Medley, and a Bronze in 100m Backstroke. The following year, she clinched her first national title in 100m Backstroke.

In 2019, Mina won two titles in 100m Backstroke and 200m Backstroke, a Silver in 50m Backstroke and a Bronze medal in 4x100m Medley. She holds Short Course national records in 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 4x50m Medley, and 4x100m Medley.

Major Achievements:

Minna Atherton made her senior international debut at the 2018 World Swimming Championships, where she won three Bronze medals in 100m Freestyle, 4x50m Freestyle, and 4x200m Freestyle. That year, she competed in 50m Freestyle at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and was placed 6th in the semifinals and hence failed to qualify for the final.

In 2019, Minna was a part of the Australian team that won the Gold medal in 4x100m Mixed Medley and a Silver in 4x100m Medley, while she won the Silver medal in 100m Backstroke.

Minna Atherton will look to qualify for her debut Olympics at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics after missing out on the chance of representing Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics and shall be in contention to win a medal in 100m Backstroke.