Bull Shark Ben Armbruster is in flying form after lighting up Tokyo on the weekend with a brilliant gold–silver double at the Seiko Japan Open.
The Paris Olympian and Sports Management student claimed his third international individual gold medal this year in the 50m butterfly when he powered to victory in 21.10 to comfortably beat Japanese duo Tanaka Yuya (23.45) and Ichikawa Kota (23.57).
Armbruster previously won two gold in the 50m and 100m butterfly at the TYR Summer Championships in Irvine, California on his return from a prolonged break to recover from injury post the Paris Olympics.
Long time Bull Sharks training partner and close mate Flynn Southam joined the party when he chased Olympic champion Cam McEvoy (21.38) to the wall with a stunning personal best time of 21.85 to take silver in his first serious outing in the 50m freestyle.
However, in a sign of the Bull Sharks’ depth of talent, the 2025 4x100m freestyle relay World Champion and dual Olympic medallist played the support role to Ambruster who has burst back to top form ahead of packed 2026 calendar that includes the Commonwealth games and Pan Pacific Championships.
Armbruster launched his campaign with a slick 51.22 to claim silver in the men’s 100m butterfly.
“Tokyo was an excellent meet for me, being able to race against some good competition alongside my friends,” he said.
“The time I produced this late into the year make me pretty excited for what's to come next year.’’
Bond’s Director of Swimming Kyle Samuelson credits the blistering performances to a recent speed-focused training block.
“We have spent plenty of time testing skills and improving strength to specifically target the short course events,” Samuelson said.
“Much of the backend of this 2025 has been about getting ready for 2026 while focusing on key areas in need of improvement, so it was pleasing to see shifts forward in these areas.”
Bull Sharks Gideon Burnes, Jesse Coleman and Josh Collett kept the momentum rolling, producing multiple personal bests.
Collett and Burnes both swam PB’s in the 50m breaststroke, with Burnes’ 27.59 earning him 7th place just ahead of 8th-placed Collett’s 27.63.
Biomedical Science student Collett shone in his pet event the 100m breaststroke, stopping the clock at 100.17 to narrowly miss the medals in 4th, while Diploma of Built Environment student Jesse Coleman’s 52.37 in the 100m butterfly heats was good enough to punch him a ticket into the final.
Armbruster and Southam will now turn their attention to the upcoming Aus vs The World competition at Brisbane’s Valley Pool on 12th December.