Geoff Huegill doubtful of his participation at the 2011 Shanghai World Championships
2010 Commonwealth gold medallist, Geoff Huegill is confused of his participation at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai this July. Huegill despite of his victory in the 100m butterfly at the 2011 Telstra Australian Swimming Championship failed to meet
the time qualification criteria set by Australian Head Coach Leigh Nugent.
Nugent expressed before the championship that he will take only those swimmers to Shanghai who will produce a time under the world’s top 12 timings. Huegill won the gold medal in the butterfly event in a time of 52.63 seconds that was only 0.11 seconds outside
Nugent’s criteria.
Sam Ashby and Joseph Carter followed him on the podium for the second and third spot with a timing of 52.48 and 52.91 seconds respectively. Huegill, who returned to competitive swimming in 2008 after his retirement in 2006, already missed his chance for
an individual berth to Shanghai in the 50m butterfly, where he lost the event to Matt Targett.
His participation in the 100m event now lies in the hands of Nugent, but he is most likely to represent Australia in the 4*100m medley relay at the World Championships in July. The 32-year-old Huegill seemed very nervous and said, "It's one of those things
where obviously benchmarks are set but once they go through and pick the team and see what results are left over, you wait and see from there. It's out of my control."
Huegill was happy to earn the Australian title once again, but was disappointed at the same time, as he clocked a sprint that was 0.67 seconds slower than his 100m butterfly title at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. Huegill expressed that this was not
his best swim, but he will enjoy the 100m crown, as he earned the title after seven years.
Expressing his hopes about the event he said, "It would have been good to sneak under 52 seconds."
Huegill, who is very keen to represent his country at the 2012 London Olympic Games, now faces the dilemma of entering the squad for the 2011 World Championships.
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