By Anya Pelshaw on SwimSwam
Erika Fairweather of New Zealand was welcomed home to the Dunedin International Airport this past week with a lei and a waka from her former high school.
Fairweather arrived back on New Zealand soil and was welcomed with a lei and a kapa haka performed by her former high school Trinity College. Her dog as well as family also greeted her at the airport. See the video of the haka below:
The 20 year old became New Zealand’s first World Champion two weeks ago as she won the women’s 400 freestyle at the 2024 World Championships in Doha. Fairweather touched in a 3:59.44, ahead of China’s Li Bingjie who won silver in a 4:01.62. Fairweather’s win earned her the #10 ranked swim of the meet.
Later in the meet in Doha, Fairweather went on to earn silver in the 200 freestyle and bronze in the 800 freestyle. She also helped the team’s 4×200 freestyle relay set a new national record as well. Fairweather was one of two swimmers from New Zealand to win a World Title as Lewis Clareburt won the men’s 400 IM.
Fairweather has been on a rapid improvement curve recently. This past December, she won the Swammy for Female Breakout Swimmer of the Year. At the 2023 World Championships Fairweather broke the 4:00 barrier in finals of the 400 freestyle, becoming the fifth woman to do so. That earned her a bronze medal. She notably was faster with her win at 2024 Worlds.
SwimSwam: New Zealand’s First World Champion Erika Fairweather Welcomed Home With Haka
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