Legendary Australian Coach Ken Wood Passes Away

Photo Courtesy: Cathleen Pruden

The Australian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association have announced the passing of legendary coach Ken Wood.

Wood was the coach of a number of Australian and Chinese athletes, including ISHOF inductee Leisel Jones, former World Record holder Ye Shiwen, Olympian Kylie Palmer, Olympian and World Record holder Liu Zige, open water World Champion Melissa Gorman, and Olympian Jessica Schipper.

While he coached Schipper from childhood through the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the two split ways following Liu Zige’s upset win over Schipper in the 200 fly. It was said that Wood was selling his training program to the Chinese, a move that might have assisted Liu Zige in her upset victory.

Under Wood’s tutelage, his swimmers amassed 85 National Champions and 152 Age Group National Champions, garnered a total of 61 international gold medals, broke 15 World Record barriers, and 110 Australian Records.

He was a member of three Australian Olympic coaching staffs and his swimmers qualified for four consecutive Olympic Games from 2000-2012.

Photo Courtesy: Facebook @ASCTA

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Surendra Naik

5 years ago

RIP