3 minute read

Three years after being left devastated at the Rio Olympic swimming trials, Matthew Wilson is primed to break a world record at next month's world titles.

Not so long ago, a devastated Matthew Wilson fell short of qualifying for the Australian swimming team by a fingertip.

But a revitalised Wilson now believes a world record will soon be in his grasp.

Wilson, 20, is full of confidence ahead of next month's world titles in South Korea after a blistering 200m breaststroke final at the selection trials in Brisbane.

He was on world record pace for 175m, only to fade and fall more than a second short on Thursday night.

In the end, Wilson didn't even break his own Commonwealth record of two minutes, 07.16 seconds - the sixth fastest of all time - set at April's national titles.

Yet Wilson was hardly discouraged by his frustrating finish, boldly declaring that he wanted to set a new world mark at July's world titles at Gwangju.

"If I can crack the world record it would be unbelievable," he said.

"I am probably not fully fit or rested here. Give me five more weeks with proper training and rest and I reckon I can crack a pretty fast time."

What a difference a couple of years make.

At the Rio Olympic trials, Wilson was a shattered man after falling short of qualifying for 200m breaststroke selection by 0.26 of a second.

If that wasn't bad enough, Wilson then missed Rio 100m breaststroke qualification by an agonising 0.03.

Yet Wilson claimed he was now thankful for the experience.

"It (2016) was a rough year for me but I think it made me more mentally resilient than my competitors," he said.

"As much as it hurt it helped me in the long run. I am proud of myself."

Wilson will be even more chuffed with himself if he achieves his lofty world titles goal.

Two years after finishing last in the 200m final at the 2017 world titles, Wilson wants at least a medal in South Korea.

Wilson - a Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist - goes into the world titles meet with the 200m breaststroke world No.3 ranking.

Yet Wilson reckons he will have the element of surprise at the world titles.

"I like to think that I will be flying under the radar," he said.

"It's going to be a tight field but I will be fighting for a podium."