Teen breaststroke sensation Sienna Toohey shares insights into her hectic life, both in and out of the pool.

GOLD COAST: For Sienna Toohey, the 17-year-old swimming prodigy from Albury, life revolves around regular trips to Canberra, a combination of limited on-site schooling and extensive online classes, along with plenty of swimming laps, securing victories and smashing records.

Recognised for shattering several junior Australian records previously held by Olympic champion Leisel Jones, Toohey showcased her extraordinary talent on the Gold Coast this Easter Monday.

Maximising every bit of strength and endurance from her petite frame, Toohey clinched the women’s 100-metre breaststroke title at the Australian Open.

While she didn’t break the record this time, her impressive time of 1:06.69 was enough to outpace her nine competitors, including Olympian Ella Ramsay, who finished second.

After emerging from the water, the Year 11 student from Albury High School opened up about her life, both in and out of the pool, which involves frequent travels to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

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“Most Sundays, my mum and I drive up to Canberra, I train Monday to Thursday, then I return home for school on Thursday afternoon and Friday before repeating the cycle,” Toohey explained to reporters.

“While I’m in Canberra, I do online classes … It’s becoming more serious, so we’ve connected with a school in Canberra for my assessments, which is incredibly beneficial, as I don’t have to keep going back for tests.”

Her school has been supportive of her unique challenges as a student and elite swimmer with aspirations for the Olympics, though this hasn’t always been the case.

“The support I receive is fantastic,” Toohey stated.

“This year, I have many of my favourite teachers, so having them in my corner is tremendously helpful.”

“I’ve had teachers in the past who weren’t as understanding of my distance learning needs.

“But my current teachers are wonderful, and they arranged for me to take assessments in Canberra, which has been a huge help.”

Toohey shattered Jones’ 15-year-old record in the 100m breaststroke at the qualifying trials for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

She also eclipsed the 16-year record at last year’s junior national championships, subsequently surpassing her newly established best at the trials for the previous year’s world championships in Singapore.

At those trials, Toohey qualified for the senior Dolphins team for the first time. In a moment that endeared her to fans nationwide, she was visibly emotional after touching the wall, shedding tears during a poolside interview with swimming icon Cate Campbell on Nine.

Despite her rising status, she maintains a sense of normalcy at school.

“My friends at school recognise that I’m a good swimmer, which is nice, but that’s not the only aspect of my life they value, which is really important to me,” Toohey reflected.

“I do hear the occasional comment, but I believe experiencing regular teenage life is essential for me.”

Joining her at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre on Easter Monday was her brother, Jed Toohey.

Jed is autistic.

“Archie [her other brother] and I have always been protective of him, and we love him wholeheartedly,” she shared.

Like many young sports enthusiasts in Australia, Toohey is motivated by the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

“They’ve been a clear goal for me,” she said.

“I’ve always wanted to participate, especially since they’ll be hosted at home.

“I think being where I am now, having made the senior team last year, gaining more experience before then is very, very important and has made me even more excited about them.”