Swimming
Charlton first came to public attention in 1921 when he won a 440yd freestyle race in the open division at a New South Wales Swimming Association competition in 5m 45s. In 1922 Bill Harris, the bronze medallist in the 100m freestyle at the 1920 Summer Olympics, came to Australia from Honolulu to compete against the likes of Frank Beaurepaire and Moss Christie. Charlton defeated Harris at the New South Wales Championships, winning the 440yd in 5m 22.4s. He then set a world record of 11m 5.4s in the 880yd event, as well as winning the one mile race in 23m 43.2s. Charlton used a trudgen stroke which embodied characteristics of the modern crawl stroke, which was at the time in its infancy.
In 1923, the 15-year-old Charlton swam for the first time against Beaurepaire, who had won 35 Australian Championships and had set 15 world records in his career. The Manly Baths was filled to capacity for the 440yd race, with Charlton winning the race by two yards in a time of 5m 20.4s, which led to Beaurepaire predicting that fitness permitting, Charlton would break world records in 1924.
The start of 1924 in Australia was highlighted by the arrival of Swedish swimmer Arne Borg, at the time the holder of four world records, to compete against the 16-year-old Charlton in the 440yd freestyle at the New South Wales Championships. The Domain Baths were filled to capacity with between 5000 and 8000 spectators, 400m queues forming outside the venue. Borg held the lead for the first half of the race until Charlton drew level, taking the lead at the 320yd mark. Charlton eventually won by 20yds to equal Borg's world record of 5m 11.8s. Charlton was giving a lap of honour as Borg rowed him around the pool in a small boat. They again met in the 880yd and 220yd events, with Charlton winning the former in a world record time of 10m 51.8s and the latter in an Australian record of 2m 23.8s.
Read more about this topic: Boy Charlton
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