Photo: Supplied.
CONTRIBUTED BY DR CLAIRE MAYHEW
With the Olympics just completed and Australia’s amazing team results being celebrated, it’s now the ‘Paras’ turn to shine. Queensland has strong representation in the team, including Manly swimmer Rachael Watson, or ‘Rachina’ as her Aussie-Italian opera singing coach Matteo calls her, who will compete in her third Paralympics as a wheelchair athlete.
Rachael won gold in the 50m Freestyle in Rio, coached by Rob Hindmarsh, and then again in Tokyo, with now-retired Gary Watson as her coach – a first for Australia going back to back. (Gary is still coaching pace swimming part-time at Chandler for social swimmers.)
Rachael has been the Chandler club captain since 2017. The club boasts Olympians Bronte and Kate Campbell, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Lizzy Dekker, Ella Ramsay, and master coach Vince Raleigh.
Rachael is the current Paralympic record holder for S4 100m and 50m Freestyle and holds world and Australian records in many events.
Swim legend Dawn Fraser has mentored Rachael since 2016, and the support and results have been astounding. Mrs Gina Reinhardt has also been a great supporter of Rachael, both on the pool deck and financially through the Georgina Hope Foundation. This support is equally shared by Olympians and Paralympians in various sports.
Rachael has a strong support team: her dad, Stuart, is with her at all sessions, as are her mum, Grace, and her brothers, Jamie and Jonny. Grandparents Dr David and Joan Clowes are avid supporters and will watch on from the Gold Coast when she swims.
Rachael is also an ambassador for Brisbane’s ex-Olympic Finn class yacht fleet, which will host the World Gold Cup and World Masters in Brisbane 2026, a first for Australia. At 64, Rachael’s father still sails a Finn.
Currently a student at the University of Queensland, Rachael is completing a master’s degree and volunteers at the Brisbane Children’s Hospital.
Rachael’s competition times (subject to change) are:
- Women’s 100m Freestyle S3 heats at 6.59pm on Tuesday, 3 September (Brisbane time), and final at 3.28am on Wednesday, 4 September.
- Women’s 50m Freestyle S4 heats at 7.17pm Friday 6 September (Brisbane time) and final at 3.57am Saturday 7 September.
