Ocean Dolphin Johnson & Japan Take 10km Pan Pacs Podium
"I wanted to have a dominant race on American soil leading into LA 2028. It's a great it's first step to the Olympic cycle.I love my sport and I love representing my country … and I hope there is an opportunity for our sport to be there in 2032 ... in Brisbane.” - Johnson
Since taking Olympic silver in the marathon in the Seine two years ago, Australian Moesha Johnson has dominated women's Open Water.
The World champion and Cup queen kept the gold rush going in California with a class-apart 10km victory in the 10km at the 2026 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships to give the Dolphins the first gold of the meet, which gets underway in the pool Wednesday.
Swimming Australia takes up the story. It was another historic effort from Johnson whose controlled win in the women’s 10km delivered the Dolphins their first ever gold medal in open water swimming since the inaugural Pan Pacs meet in 1985.
Undefeated over this distance this year, the Olympic silver medallist led from the second lap but made her decisive move with two turns left on the final lap of six to pull away and win at Long Bay Marine Stadium at Long Beach, California.
As water temperature hovered around 25 degrees, the 28-year-old won comfortably in 1hr:55mins. 33 secs.
Japanese swimmers fought it out for second, with Airi Ebina (1:55.59) making a move in the final 200 metres to best countrywoman and Singapore 2025 World-championships 3km knockout champion Ichika Kajimoto (1:56.07). They were the only two Japanese swimmers among the 22 entered in the race.
While American Becca Mann touched fourth (1:56.15), rookie Dolphin Jacqueline Davison-McGovern rounded out the lead pack with the St Peters athlete – dubbed the ‘ocean dolphin’ by coach Dean Boxall – fifth (1:56.17).
Australian teammates Tiana Kritzinger, in only her fourth 10km swim, finished 11th and Chelsea Douyere 12th.
Johnson, who will swim the 1500m on Day 1 of the pool competition, said:
“It was quite a strong field of girls. They're all very fit at the moment, and everyone's in really good shape. I had to keep an eye on where my heart rate and my effort was sitting. And, you know, Jackie (Davison-McGovern) was right there on my feet the whole way.
“And I really wanted to try and keep her there with me. But it wasn’t to be. I wanted to have a dominant race on American soil leading into LA 2028. It's a great it's first step to the Olympic cycle. I'm absolutely loving what I'm doing at the moment. I love my sport and I love representing my country … and I hope there is an opportunity for our sport to be there in 2032 whether it’s me or another proud Australian flying the flag in Brisbane.”
