With both parents and two brothers representing New Zealand at underwater hockey, it’s no surprise Moss Burmester took to the water too – especially with a pool in their backyard.
The Hastings born, Auckland based swimmer is one of the many success stories to have come out of the North Shore club coached by Jan Cameron and Thomas Ansorg.
Moss has earned significant accolades during his career so far, including Bay Of Plenty sportsperson and supreme winner of the year in 2003, and being named captain of the New Zealand team for the World University Games in Bangkok in August 2007.
His main claim to fame to date has been winning gold in the 200 metre butterfly at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games – as well as bronze in the 100 metre butterfly.
But with Beijing just around the corner, Moss is keeping an eye on the biggest accolade of all – Olympic gold.
Facts/Info
Name: Moss Burmester
Sport: Swimming
Discipline: Butterfly and Freestyle
DOB: 19 June 1981
Height: 182cm
Weight: 83kg
New Zealand Academy of Sport Region: New Zealand Academy of Sport - North
Current Location: Auckland
Coaches: Jan Cameron and Thomas Ansorg
Support Team: Clint Knox (masseur) and Jordan Salesa (physio)
Club: North Shore
Sponsors: SPARC (through the New Zealand Academy of Sport), Hyundai, Speedo, Balance Sport Supplements
Job: Professional Athlete/Student
Education: Bachelor of Design, Massey University
New Zealand Records:
Current record holder of 200m Butterfly
International Experience:
Manchester Commonwealth Games, 2002
50m Butterfly - 16th
100m Butterfly - 9th
200m Butterfly - 4th
100m Freestyle - 18th
Athens Olympic Games, 2004
200m Butterfly - 12th
400m Freestyle - 28th
1500m Freestyle - 28th
World Surf-Lifesaving Champs (Italy), 2004
100m Manikin Carry with Fins - 7th
Montreal World Championships, 2005
100m Butterfly - 9th
200m Butterfly - 13th
World University Games (Turkey), 2005
100m Butterfly - 5th
200m Butterfly - 6th
4X200m Freestyle Relay - 7th
Melbourne Commonwealth Games, 2006
50m Butterfly - 12th
100m Butterfly - 3rd
200m Butterfly - 1st (Commonwealth Record)
4X100m Medley Relay - 5th
World Short Course Championships (Shanghai), 2006
200m Butterfly - 2nd
100m Butterfly - 12th
4X100m Men’s Medley Relay - 7th
World Long Course Championships, 2007
200m Butterfly - 4th (Commonwealth Games and NZ Record)
Sports highlight (up to July 2007):
2006 Melbourne Commonwealth gold and the Haka performed by his team mates in the swimming pool enclosure at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games
Ultimate Goal:
Olympic Gold Medal