Australia announced their swimming dominance at Glasgow 2026 on Friday, 25 July, claiming three gold medals — including one in para-swimming — on the second day of competition at Tollcross International Swimming Centre. Lani Pallister, Jenna Forrester, and Jenna Jones were the gold medallists for the Australians, while South Africa and hosts Scotland each added a gold of their own in the pool.

Pallister Carries a Family Legacy to Gold

Lani Pallister opened the gold rush in the pool, dominating the Women's 400m Freestyle Final to claim the first swimming gold of Glasgow 2026. Erika Fairweather of New Zealand took silver, while Pallister's compatriot Jenna Forrester claimed bronze in the same event.

The victory carried deep personal significance for Pallister, who joined her mother Janelle and godmother Dawn Fraser in the select company of Commonwealth swimming champions. 'The title is really exciting; it's obviously going through the legacy with my mum and Dawn,' Pallister said. 'Having my first one on the board, I'm stoked with it, and to have the first event of the meet go to Australia is awesome!'

She also acknowledged her long-running rivalry with Fairweather: 'Erika and I have been racing each other for seven years, and it's always fun, and I knew she would push me hard. It's a great start to the week, and I'm just excited to keep building and swimming fast.'

Forrester Doubles Up in the Backstroke

Jenna Forrester was not finished after her bronze in the freestyle. She returned to claim a second medal of the evening — this time gold — in the Women's 200m Backstroke, powering from behind to edge ahead of compatriot Hannah Fredericks, who had led at the halfway mark. Glasgow-born Katie Shanahan, competing in the very pool where she learned to swim, took the silver to a rousing home reception.

Duncan Scott Sets a Games Record for Scotland

Duncan Scott, Scotland's most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete, delivered the moment the home crowd had been waiting for. Scott claimed Scotland's first gold of Glasgow 2026 in the Men's 200m Individual Medley, finishing in a Games record time of 1:56.38. His blistering freestyle leg proved decisive, and chants of 'No Scotland, no party' echoed around Tollcross as he surged clear of the field. Lewis Clareburt of New Zealand took silver and Tom Dean of England claimed bronze.

Para-Swimming: Hendricks Upsets Clegg, Jones Leads Australia

In the para-swimming events, Nathan Hendricks of South Africa pulled off a significant upset, beating home favourite Stephen Clegg to win the Para Swimming Men's 100m Freestyle S13 Final — South Africa's first gold medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. England's Matthew Redfern finished third.

Jenna Jones won Australia's first para-swimming medal of the Games, taking gold in the Women's 100m Freestyle S13 Final. Ela Letton-Jones of Wales claimed silver — Wales's first medal at Glasgow 2026 — while Australia's Kirralee Hayes rounded out the podium in third.

Full Results from Day 2 Swimming

Women's 400m Freestyle: 1. Lani Pallister (AUS) 2. Erika Fairweather (NZL) 3. Jenna Forrester (AUS)

Women's 200m Backstroke: 1. Jenna Forrester (AUS) 2. Katie Shanahan (SCO) 3. Hannah Fredericks (AUS)

Para Swimming Men's 100m Freestyle S13: 1. Nathan Hendricks (RSA) 2. Stephen Clegg (SCO) 3. Matthew Redfern (ENG)

Women's 100m Freestyle S13: 1. Jenna Jones (AUS) 2. Ela Letton-Jones (WAL) 3. Kirralee Hayes (AUS)

Men's 200m Individual Medley: 1. Duncan Scott (SCO) 2. Lewis Clareburt (NZL) 3. Tom Dean (ENG)

With the pool programme still in its early stages, Australia's early medal haul sets the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested swimming competition across the remainder of Glasgow 2026.