SPORT

The small-town swimmer realising his big dream

Ben Armbruster dives into his swimming journey

Making a champion

A swimmer diving into a pool.

Ben Armbruster booked his ticket to the Paris Olympics when he finished the 50m freestyle at the Australian Swimming Trials with a time of 21.91.

As his hand touches the wall at the end of a race, there is one ritual playing on Ben Armbruster’s mind — a phone call home. The 22-year-old’s swimming career began in Stanthorpe where a tight-knit rural community still ignites the fire in his belly. Armbruster's butterfly and freestyle performances have awarded him medals from Nationals at Southport to the Swimming World Cup in Berlin, but his greatest motivation is making his parents and his hometown proud, and paving inspiration for upcoming rural swimmers.  

As his sights were set on the race of his life in the Olympics swimming program, the Bondy opened up about his motivation.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024

SILVER

Men's 50 Butterfly

WORLD AQUATICS SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2023

GOLD

Men's 50 Butterfly

WORLD AQUATICS SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2023

SILVER

Mixed 4x100 Medley Relay
A man with goggles on his forehead.
A man with goggles on his forehead.
A man with goggles on his forehead.
A man with goggles on his forehead.

Growing up in a town where the swimming pool was closed half of the year must have created some hurdles for you in chasing a swimming career. How did you navigate that? 

Going into winter, the temperature would frequently hit negative numbers and the heaters couldn't keep the pool warm enough to swim. When I was much younger, I would play other sports such as soccer to keep fit during winter. But as I got older, we would drive an hour to Warwick to train at the closest indoor pool. Every morning before school I'd get up at 5am and make the trip to training and get back in time for school. 

What does it mean for you to be selected to compete in Paris? 

I've spent the last 22 years of my life preparing for this event. This isn't just mine, but any swimmer's life goal really. It'd be huge, massive. There are all the other competitions you can go to, like the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships, but the Olympics is the pinnacle. It's where everyone wants to be. 

What was it about coach Chris Mooney that had you follow him to Bond University in 2021?

He was very similar to my first coach from Stanthorpe, Gail. She would happily pull me up if I was messing around or not training hard enough and Chris is similar. If you're not on you’re A-game, he lets you know very quickly. And his training sessions always address how I can improve.

Did Coach Mooney have you focussed on a particular part of your performance in the lead up to the Olympics trials? 

We were very focussed on skills such as underwaters, our dives, turns — just areas that we agree are make-or-break opportunities to improve. They're areas which I think are neglected by many swimmers. So when I go and talk to younger swimmers, I always tell them to work on their underwaters because that's where other people don't and that's where you can get better, easily. That's what we've been focussing on, hugely.

I've spent the last 22 years of my life preparing for this event.
This isn't just mine, but any swimmer's life goal really.

Outside of Mooney’s coaching, what are some areas you’ve been addressing to improve your performance?

We’ve left no stone unturned. I’ve been talking to our dietician at the Queensland Academy of Sport, I get physio advice, gym coaching sessions, even biotechs filming underwater to help with stroke correction. 

When all the hard work pays off, do you have any post-race rituals after a good performance?

I ring mum. She always has questions, so I’ll give her a debrief and reflect on what I’m happy with. It helps me decompress too. I’m very close with my family, and my parents are still back home in Stanthorpe.

A yound man in front of the Australian flag.

What motivates you to perform well? 

I think it’s where I’ve come from and the people who have helped me — my family, my first coach and the town of Stanthorpe. There aren't many country athletes, let alone swimmers, so I find motivation in the fact I was able to get where I am and when I get out there and perform, it’s for my hometown and those who have helped me on the way. I also do a fair bit of clinic work with younger swimmers and I know how much it means to them to be able to look up to an older swimmer they’ve met or an Australian Dolphin. I know my performances can mean something for them. 

A swimmer stepping up to the block.

What qualities and habits do you think are needed to make a champion?

Determination and persistence. You can’t be easily pushed over. If you come up against adversity, you can’t automatically give up, you have to be able push and drive yourself to be the best version of yourself. In terms of habits, a big one is you’ve got to be able to control your eating, and that’s one that sometimes gets me. Everyone loves a cheat meal. But if you keep on top of it, it will help you perform physically, and keep you confident mentally. If you’re not eating clean, you pay the price in training and you learn quickly not to do it again.

We’ve got a competitive team so we drive each other and we love a good race in training, so if you’re not on you’re A-game, they’ll quickly let you know they can get a win over you.

MAKING A CHAMPION

Ben Armbruster

The swimming pool at Bond University.