James Magnussen believes Adelaide performance is frightening his challengers – Swimming News
The 100m freestyle world champion, Australia’s James Magnussen believed that his scintillating effort in the 100m freestyle at the South Australian Swimming Championships is frightening his challengers.
The 20-year-old Magnussen posted a fascinating 48.05 seconds to grab gold medal of the 100m freestyle at the Adelaide Championships, last January.
Magnussen, who became the national champion of 100m freestyle at the age of 19 and then won gold medal of the same event at the 2011 Shanghai World Championships, is Australia’s top most hope for the forthcoming 2012 London Olympic Games.
He also won a gold medal in the 4*100m freestyle while secured a silver finish in the 4*100m medley relay at the Shanghai world titles. Before that, he captured a gold medal in the 4*100m freestyle relay at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and secured a
silver medal in the same event at the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine.
The Australian veteran is training hard to dominate his event at the Australian Selection Trials for the upcoming Olympic Games. Magnussen is all set to compete in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle at the New South Wales (NSW) State Open Championships in
Sydney from February 10 to 12.
Furthermore, Magnussen told that he is looking forward to post a sub 48.00 seconds effort at the next week’s meet in Sydney. He added that it would be great if he improves his Adelaide timing, but he would not be disappointed if he fails to better his mark.
“It’s disappointing that the Queensland and South Australian titles have come before a NSW one, but to add that one to the tally would be nice,” he said.
“I think we should be pretty strong favourites going into the Olympics with all the guys who were in the team last year still involved. This year with younger and older guys making a comeback we’re looking pretty good,” he added.
Regarding the five-time Olympic gold medallist, Ian Thorpe, who is working hard to achieve his London Olympics qualification dream, Magnussen expressed that it would be magnificent if Thorpe joins the relay team. He also said that it would not be wise to
underestimate Thorpe as he still has a month to improve his timing.
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