Zoë Baker

Zoë Baker (born 29 February 1976) is a former world record holder in swimming who represented Great Britain until 2005, when she switched allegiance to New Zealand whilst living there.[1] She later returned to the United Kingdom and she switched her allegiance back to Great Britain in 2011.[2]

Zoë Baker
Personal information
Nationality New Zealand (2005 to 2011)
 Great Britain (prior to 2005 and post 2011)
Born (1976-02-29) 29 February 1976
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBreaststroke

Swimming career

National titles

Baker won the ASA National British Championships 50 metres breaststroke title eight times (1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003).[3][4][5][6]

1999

At the 1999 European Aquatics Championships in Istanbul, Baker swam 31.43 seconds in the semifinal of the 50-m breaststroke to set a European record.[7] She collected a silver medal in the final.[8]

2000

Baker earned the silver medal in the 50-m breaststroke at the 2000 European Aquatics Championships in Helsinki, finishing behind Ágnes Kovács of Hungary.[9]

2001

Baker won the bronze medal in the 50-m breaststroke at the 2001 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, finishing with a time of 31.40.[10]

2002

Baker represented England at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester winning the gold medal in the women's 50 m breaststroke in a time of 30.60 seconds.[11] She also set a world record of 30.57 seconds in the semifinal round of the same event, breaking the previous mark set by Penny Heyns of South Africa.[12] In addition, she set a short-course world record with a mark of 30.53 seconds at the South African National Short Championships in Durban,[13] then surpassed that mark later in the same month.[14]

2003

In 2003 Baker collected another medal in the 50-m breaststroke, a bronze at the 2003 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona behind Chinese swimmer Luo Xuejuan.[15]

2006

At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne she was 4th in the same event, this time representing New Zealand.[16]

2012

In January 2012 Baker switched her allegiance back to Great Britain for international swimming competitions.[2]

Coaching career

Baker is the head coach of the Bournemouth Collegiate School Swimming Academy.[2]

See also

References

  1. BBC. "Baker to make New Zealand switch". 17 December 2004. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
  2. Zoë Baker's Website. Retrieved 21 June 2013
  3. "Lord, Craig. "Baker passes demanding examination of character." Times, 12 June 1992, p. 32". Times Digital Archive.
  4. ""For the Record." Times, 11 June 1993, p. 42". Times Digital Archive.
  5. ""For the Record." Times, 9 July 1999, p. 49". Times Digital Archive.
  6. ""For the record." Times, 31 July 2000, p. ^". Times Digital Archive.
  7. BBC. "Baker sets new 50 metre record". 29 July 1999. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
  8. BBC. "Double silver for British swimmers". 30 July 1999. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
  9. Ballard, Bob. "Brave Baker claims silver". BBC, 10 August 2000. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
  10. BBC. "Baker takes bronze". 27 July 2001. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
  11. Henderson, Charlie. "Baker charges to gold". BBC, 31 July 2002. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
  12. BBC. "Baker smashes world record". 30 July 2002. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
  13. BBC. "Briton sets world record". 5 January 2002. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
  14. BBC. "Baker breaks world record". 27 January 2002. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
  15. BBC. "Phelps ends on high". 27 July 2003. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
  16. BBC. "Swimming: 50m breaststroke". 19 March 2006. Retrieved on 14 June 2013.
Records
Preceded by
Penelope Heyns
Women's 50-metre breaststroke
world record holder (long course)

30 July 2002 31 July 2005
Succeeded by
Jade Edmistone
Preceded by
Emma Igelström
Women's 50-metre breaststroke
world record holder (short course)

4 January 2002 17 January 2002
Succeeded by
Luo Xuejuan
Preceded by
Emma Igelström
Women's 50-metre breaststroke
world record holder (short course)

27 January 2002 14 March 2002
Succeeded by
Emma Igelström
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