Lani Pallister

 Fast Facts

• Date of Birth: 06/06/2002
• Birthplace: Sydney, NSW
• Nickname: LP
• Sporting Idol: Janelle Elford, Julie McDonald, Jess Schipper
• Favourite Quote: “Hope isn’t a strategy” 
• Biggest Challenge: 2021 missing the Olympic team, having heart surgery and almost giving away the sport due to health conditions
• Greatest achievement so far: Representing Australia on the international stage after being so close to quitting the sport
• Favourite Food: Italian or Japanese

Lani originally began competing at 7 years old and found a passion for swimming butterfly and at her first State Championships, aged 11, she won a bronze medal in the 100m. 

In 2015 Lani Pallister accidentally entered the 800m freestyle at a qualifying meet and her new journey started in the distance freestyle scene.

After dropping time year after year, Lani was selected to represent Australia in 2017 at the World Junior Championships and the following year, Lani represented Australia again at the Junior Pan Pacific Games in Fiji. She won Gold in the 400m, 800m and 1500m Freestyle breaking the Championship record in the 1500m. Lani also won Silver in the 200m Freestyle and both Freestyle relays.

The next year, Lani Pallister represented Australia for the 2nd time at the Junior Pan Pacific Games in Fiji. She won Gold in the 400m, 800m and 1500m Freestyle breaking the Championship record in the 1500m. Lani also won Silver in the 200m Freestyle and both Freestyle relays.

In 2019, Lani turned 17 and narrowly missed making the Senior Team for the World Championships. As a consolation, she was selected for her last Junior Australian Team travelling to Budapest to compete in World Junior Championships. Lani excelled by breaking 3 Championship Records across the distance Freestyle events, winning 3 Gold and won Silver in the 200m Freestyle and both Freestyle relays.

As Australian Record Holder for 1500m Freestyle, making a senior team was a major goal for Lani fuelled by just missing the Olympic Team in 2020. At the World Short Course Championships in 2022, Lani swept up 3 Gold Medals and also has 2 Long Course World Championships and a Commonwealth Games under her belt. Lani is looking forward to making her first Olympic Team in 2024.