By JARROD POTTER
TOORADIN’S Josh Beaver is off to Russia after sealing his spot on the Australian Dolphins’ World Championships Swim Team.
Firing out of lane five in the Australian Swimming Championships 200-metre backstroke final last week, held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC), Beaver had to battle his Commonwealth Games’ team mates Mitch Larkin and Matson Lawson to earn a place in the Australian team.
“I was going after him (Larkin) the whole time – I just wanted to get the qualifying time,” Beaver said.
“1.57.3 – just needed to do what I had to do to get through that and to be honest, I was a bit shocked with the time and the performance.”
Needing a fast finish to qualify for the FINA World Swimming Championships, held this year in Kazan, Russia, Beaver latched on to gold medallist Larkin (1.55.52) and didn’t let him out of his sight. Beaver’s 1.56.48 scorched the required time to earn him a spot in the green-and-gold once again with his second-place finish.
After a tough meet and even tougher lead-up to the event, Beaver was pleased to make the squad and finish off the week with flying colours.
“Leading into the meet I didn’t have the ideal preparation – so I’m glad it’s over,” Beaver said.
“It’s satisfying to know it wasn’t a fluke the first time (making an Australian team) – and it’s a great send in to Rio.
“I’ve put myself in a fantastic place to make the Olympic team next year and be competitive with a few nationals under my belt.”
With a punishing schedule across the eight-day meet – including heats, semis and finals of his beloved 200 metre backstroke on the same day – the meet took its toll on the 22-year-old swimmer, but he knows that’s what you have to do to make it to the higher echelons.
“It’s a hard task, but unfortunately something you have to do – something you need to do as an elite athlete… it’s taxing to do three 200 metre races back-to-back,” Beaver said.
“It’s getting up for finals at night-time and unwinding for the next morning where you have to perform.
“It’s very exciting – bit shocked and glad it’s over to be honest as the whole eight days was pretty tough.”
It follows up a stellar 2014 for the backstroke dynamo with Beaver winning three medals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Casey TigerShark Lawson (2.00.53) finished fifth in the 200 metre backstroke final.
The World Championships run from 24 July to 9 August.
In other swimming news, the Casey TigerSharks junior swimmers have hit the SOPAC waters this week for the Swimming Australia Age Championships.
