Nundah-raised swimmer Jenna Forrester has become one of Australia’s leading performers at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, winning two gold medals and one bronze.
Her medal haul included gold in the 200-metre backstroke and 400-metre individual medley, as well as bronze in the 400-metre freestyle, impressively showing her versatility across three very different events.
An Unexpected Backstroke Breakthrough
Forrester’s most unexpected triumph came in an event she was not originally selected to swim.
She finished fourth in the 200-metre backstroke at the Australian trials and did not initially qualify for the event. However, when Kaylee McKeown withdrew after being diagnosed with glandular fever, Forrester received a place in the race.
Although best known as an individual medley swimmer, Forrester had international backstroke experience. She finished eighth in the 200-metre backstroke final at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka.
On the opening night at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Forrester faced a demanding racing schedule. She first won bronze in the 400-metre freestyle behind fellow Australian Lani Pallister and New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather. About 45 minutes later, she returned to the pool for the 200-metre backstroke final.
Despite the short turnaround, Forrester remained within reach of the leaders throughout the race. She was fourth at the final turn but moved through the field on the last lap.
Forrester won in a personal-best time of 2:08.17. Scotland’s Katie Shanahan took silver, while St Peters Western clubmate Hannah Fredericks claimed bronze.
The victory gave Forrester her first individual Commonwealth Games gold medal. It also turned a late opportunity into one of Australia’s most notable performances of the opening night.
Forrester Controls the Medley Final
While her backstroke victory was unexpected, Forrester entered the 400-metre individual medley as one of the leading contenders.
The event requires swimmers to complete 100 metres each of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. It tests speed, endurance, technique and the ability to manage four different strokes.
Forrester took control during the butterfly and backstroke legs, building a substantial early lead.
English teenager Amalie Smith reduced the gap during the second half of the race. However, Forrester retained the lead through the final freestyle leg and won in a personal-best 4:31.19.
Smith took silver, while fellow Australian Ella Ramsay claimed bronze.
The result gave Forrester her second individual gold medal of the Games. It also added another major title to her record in the 400-metre individual medley.
Three Medals Across Three Events
Forrester’s Glasgow program required her to adapt to three different types of racing.
The 400-metre freestyle demanded sustained pace and endurance. The backstroke final required technical control and a strong finish, while the individual medley tested all four competitive strokes.
Winning medals in each event highlighted her range as a swimmer.
Her Glasgow results also marked a major step forward from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she finished sixth in the 400-metre individual medley.
Since then, she has developed into a regular contender at major international meets.
A Brisbane Swimmer With Nundah Roots
Forrester was born in Sandton, South Africa, and moved to Australia as a child. She grew up in Brisbane, and local coverage has identified her as Nundah-raised.
Her potential became clear early in her career. At just 13, she won nine titles at the 2017 Australian Age Championships, later earning a relay silver at the 2019 World Junior Championships in Budapest.
Her progression to senior international success required resilience. After narrowly missing the Tokyo 2021 Olympic squad, she steadily built her resume:
- 2022: Reached the 400m IM final at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
- 2023: Claimed bronze in the 400m IM at the World Championships in Fukuoka.
- 2024: Made her Olympic debut in Paris.
- 2025: Secured silver in the 400m IM at the World Championships in Singapore.
Now training at St Peters Western in Indooroopilly under elite coach Dean Boxall, Forrester’s triumphant Glasgow campaign marks her evolution from a promising finalist into a double Commonwealth champion—giving her community in Nundah plenty to celebrate.
Published 28-July-2026
