Monday, 26 August 2019:

Australia, led by rising stars Lani Pallister and Thomas Neill, have claimed 13 medals - four of them gold - to finish an impressive third on the medal tally at the world junior swimming championships in Budapest.

The young Aussies, under head coach Glenn Beringen, left the Duna Arena after six days of action with four gold, five silver and four bronze medals - behind only the US (18-10-9) and Russia (7-11-4).

The girls won medals in every freestyle event between 50m and 1500m.

Pallister, 17, was named the FINA female swimmer of the meet after a haul of three gold and three silver medals, and three championship records.

Coached by her mother, 1988 Olympic finalist Janelle Elford, Pallister completed her tally with a silver in the 200m freestyle in the final session on Sunday in a personal best time of 1:58.09.

In a great week, which should set her up for next year's Olympic trials, Pallister had earlier won individual gold in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle and played crucial roles in Australia's silver medal winning 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays.

It is a rare achievement to win medals across every freestyle distance from 100m to 1500m freestyle.

Neill was the standout among the male swimmers, claiming two silver and two bronze medals.

On the final night he became the latest addition to Australia's sub-15 minutes 1500m freestyle club, clocking 14:59.19 to join a who's who of greats including Grant Hackett, Mack Horton, Kieren Perkins, Daniel Kowalski, Jack McLoughlin Craig Stevens, Jordan Harrison and Glenn Housman.

Neill had to contend with emerging Croatian superstar Franko Grgic who shot into Olympic medal contention next year with a remarkable time of 14:46.09 - sixth fastest time for 2019.

AAP