Recently, Alexandria Perkins came away with three medals at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore with Team Australia, where she won Silver in the Women’s 50m Butterfly, Bronze in the Women’s 100m Butterfly and, alongside Kaylee McKeown, Ella Ramsay and Mollie O’Callaghan, Australia won Silver in the Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay. In December 2024, Alexandria won her first individual international medals at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (short course) in Budapest, with Bronze in the Women’s 50m and 100m Butterfly events, and Silver in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay alongside Meg Harris, Milla Jansen and Lani Pallister. Alexandria made her Olympic debut for Team Australia at Paris 2024, and she swam in the heats in the Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay, with Team Australia winning Silver in the final, and she reached the semi-final in the Women’s 100m Butterfly. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Team Australia became the Commonwealth championships in the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay, where Alexandria swam in the heats, qualifying the team in first place, and she reached the finals in the Women’s 50m and 100m Butterfly events for her first competition representing Australia. Upcoming for Alexandria are World Cups in October, and she is aiming for next year’s trials, Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships. We spoke to Alexandria about her medal success with Team Australia at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, making her Olympic debut at Paris 2024 and competing at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.
What did you enjoy most about your time in Singapore racing at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships for Team Australia?
It’s always really special to have the opportunity to race for Australia. I think the team this year was really great, we had a fair few rookies who were competing on their first senior team so it brings a fresh perspective and a lot of excitement. Of course, it’s always nice to come away with good results and times you are proud of, but I think the way we all got around each other during racing, regardless of the result, made it even more enjoyable.
How was it coming away with three medals from this year’s Championships and how did you stay focused throughout the competition?
I tried to just come into the competition without any expectation on myself to win medals – you can’t control how other people swim. I just really wanted to equal or better my performance from our trials five weeks earlier and I’m really proud that I was able to do that. Coming away with three medals really was amazing though, medalling at a long course Worlds was definitely not something I ever thought I would be capable of, but to see all my time, dedication and hard work paying off means a lot.
With World Champs being an eight-day competition, it’s definitely tough to stay focused and fresh, particularly towards the end of the meet with a busy schedule, and not something I had really experienced. I think just trying to switch off all the emotions after my race helped me manage such a crazy week. It’s hard sometimes because you want to enjoy the result but you also still have a job to do and other races to focus on.
What was it like swimming in the finals of the Women’s 50m Butterfly (Silver) and Women’s 100m Butterfly (Bronze), and competing in the Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay alongside Kaylee McKeown, Ella Ramsay and Mollie O’Callaghan, where the Australian team won Silver?
International racing is so different to racing in Australia. There is a lot going on and the crowd is much bigger and louder. I think the experience I have now definitely helps me to manage my nerves leading into a big final, but I won’t lie, I definitely still get so nervous – more so because of the pressure I put on myself. I really try to treat it like any other race, but it’s pretty cool getting to race against some legends of the sport.
Relays are always fun because you get to race with your friends and get around each other in the call room and behind the blocks. I probably get more nervous for relays because I’m not just racing for myself, but also for the other girls. It was really special to be able to celebrate with the girls after the race, and even more so because it was the last event of the meet.
In April, you competed at the Australian Open Championships, can you tell us about this?
The Aus Open Championships are like our Nationals, but we rarely rest going into this competition. It is a really good opportunity during the season to practice race plans and skills going into our main competition, which is trials in June. Racing at this meet can be tough sometimes because you always want to see the fast times but are usually in a big training block. I was really happy with how I went this year and my consistency through the whole first half of the year. I feel like I got to learn a lot about my racing, which helped me execute better come June.
How did you feel winning your first individual international medal at the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (short course) in Budapest in December, when you won Bronze in the Women’s 50m Butterfly and then won another Bronze in the Women’s 100m Butterfly?
I was so stoked with how I went last year in Budapest. Like I mentioned previously, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be capable of it so it gives me a lot of confidence that everything is heading in the right direction for LA. I still tried back then to not put much pressure on myself to medal, even though I knew I was capable, but instead just coming into the final and doing the best I could. I was really proud of myself for handling the nerves that came with knowing it was a possibility, and just trusting my training and race plan.
You also won Silver in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay with Meg Harris, Milla Jansen and Lani Pallister, how different do you find relay events to swimming individually?
That was a really fun relay, especially being short course. Freestyle isn’t something I train for a lot so it’s always great to get the opportunity and extra special to be able to race with friends.
Relays definitely come with the extra pressure of not just racing for yourself, but I love getting to celebrate with the girls. I also think the crowd is so different doing relays, and I have to focus really hard when doing my changeover because it can be really loud!
What was it like making your Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and how was it staying in the athletes village?
When people say the Olympics is like nothing you’ve ever experienced, they’re not lying. I was honestly just really grateful to be there and get the opportunity to race. The village can definitely be overwhelming and there is so much going on, so many incredible athletes just walking around.
While I wasn’t super happy with my individual result, getting to race in the 4×100 Medley Relay heat was an absolute highlight, made even more special coming home with a Silver medal. It was also really cool for it to have been in Paris because there are so many incredible things to see and do.
How did you prepare for last year’s Olympics and how was it representing Australia at the Paris La Défense Arena?
I got a lot of race practice last year both domestically and also at the World Champs in Doha, which I think really helped me prepare for racing both at our trials and at the Olympics. My team and I really tried to focus on my strengths and I also worked really hard mentally to prepare for some very nerve-racking races.
Representing Australia was such an honour, and something I hopefully get to experience at another Games! It was also very special having family and friends over there supporting me.
Having swam in the heats of the Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay (in which Australia won Silver in the final), how was it receiving an Olympic medal, and also reaching the Semi-Final of the Women’s 100m Butterfly?
It was pretty cool to receive that medal after the girls won Silver in the final. While I would love to win one for myself someday, not many people get an Olympic medal so I am really proud that I helped contribute to that.
The semi-final at the Olympics probably got the best of me a little bit, and I didn’t quite perform the way I knew I was capable of, but I learnt a lot of lessons and wouldn’t be the athlete I am today without that experience, so I am very grateful.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, you became Commonwealth champion when Australia took the Gold medal in the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay (after you swam in the heats, qualifying the team in first place), what are some of your stand-out memories from competing at the Commonwealth Games?
The Commonwealth Games was my first Australian team so I really tried to soak everything in. Being in a village environment is really cool and I was really happy to have made finals in both the 50 and 100fly, which was a new experience. The relay wasn’t something I expected to do and was really just a bonus but it was an amazing experience. I remember the last session of that competition being able to sit in the stands and cheer on the rest of the team was really exciting.
How did you originally get into swimming and was it always something you wanted to do competitively?
I’m not totally sure how I got into it but I think I did okay at a school competition one time and also saw someone wearing a club jumper and I wanted one, so I joined. I definitely was not the most talented age group swimmer and never thought I’d make it this far, but I always worked really hard and felt like I had more to give, which I guess is why I stuck at it.
What does your typical training day look like and how much has it changed over the years?
Over a week we do nine swims, three gym, plus core and things like that. My biggest day is probably a Monday where we have swim and gym in the morning, and another swim session at night. It doesn’t leave a lot of time during the day to do other things but I usually just try to fuel myself and rest as much as possible on those days. I think the intensity and purpose of training has definitely changed over the years.
Were there any swimmers that particularly inspired you when starting out, and do you have a favourite aspect of representing Team Australia internationally?
Definitely. I always looked up to Emma McKeon growing up so I think being on Australian teams and racing with her was very special.
I think the best part of representing Australia is the support we all give each other while on the team. We all know the hard work and sacrifice it takes to get there.
How do you like to spend your time away from the pool?
I like spending time with my dog, family, and friends, and going out for a coffee or food. I am also slowly getting through a physiotherapy degree. When we get time off, I also really like to travel.
Do you have any competitions coming up that you can tell us about or that you are targeting?
We have World Cups coming up in October, which should be fun. Probably less of a serious competition but just some fun racing to see how I go. It’s always great to be able to travel and see different parts of the world while doing these.
The next major comps that we will target will probably be next year’s trials, Commonwealth Games, and Pan Pacs.
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