Australian Championships: Kyle Chalmers Delivers Strong Showing in 100 Freestyle; Reveals Recovery From Ankle Surgery

Kyle Chalmers happy place Courtesy Swimming NSW

Australian Championships: Kyle Chalmers Delivers Strong Showing in 100 Freestyle; Reveals Recovery From Ankle Surgery

By Nicole Jeffery

Rio Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers dispelled any lingering doubts about his Paris preparation, winning the 100m freestyle in 47.63 at the Australian Championships, moving to No.2 on this year’s world rankings behind the new world record-holder Pan Zhanle of China (46.80).

Chalmers also revealed that he had ankle surgery in September after tearing three ligaments in his right ankle playing Australian rules football. Having made a full recovery from that injury, which required the insertion of a tightrope and screws in his ankle, he said he had banned himself from further football games until after the Olympics.

While Chalmers was recovering from surgery, Pan set a new standard for the world’s fastest men at the Doha World Championships in February, but the big Australian said he was not fazed by that performance.

“I haven’t been able to go under 48 seconds in this pool (before) so to be able to do that is really promising,’’ he said.

Chalmers has always thrived under duress and the combination of the ankle injury, his recent change of coaches and the challenge of Pan’s unprecedented speed have him primed for the fight ahead.

“There’s a few guys going 46 now and it’s something that I’ve chased for a very long time, but I think, as I’ve progressed in my swimming career, it’s not necessarily about time, it’s more about the result,’’ he said.

“You reflect on previous Olympic champions and what is remembered is who won the race rather than what time they swam and I pride myself on, no matter who I’m racing against, lifting to their time or their standard. If guys are swimming 46 seconds that’s what I’m going to have to do to win, so that’s what I’m training my best for.

“I think it will be very fast and it will be race that will be remembered for a very long time. You’ve got a former world record-holder (David Popovici), a world record-holder (Pan), a former Olympic champion in Dressel and myself as a former Olympic champion, all in the one race. I think it’s going to be a special race and I really hope to be part of it.’’

With a potential doping scandal developing in China today, Chalmers was asked whether he had confidence in the anti-doping system, and he replied: “Definitely in Australia. I love being an Australian (because) it’s frowned upon to be a doper in Australia, it gets hugely criticised and we hate people cheating.”

“I’m forever getting tested, so I hope that that’s happening globally as well. I’m getting random drug tests all the time, almost weekly at the moment leading into the Olympics. I hope that that’s what is going on everywhere.’’

Will Yang (SOPAC, NSW) continued to make a successful return from spinal surgery, finishing second in a personal best of 48.20, with Kai Taylor third in 48.69, Jamie Jack fourth in 48.94 and Flynn Southam fifth in 48.96.

The 2023 world 50m freestyle champion Cam McEvoy also put on another show of speed in a 50m time trial, in which he swam faster than he had in yesterday’s 50m final, clocking 21.82.

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