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Chalmers Relishes Being Part Of Potentially Historic 100 Free Race In Tokyo

2021 SWIMMING AUSTRALIA OLYMPIC TRIALS

The reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 100m freestyle, Kyle Chalmers of Australia, did what he needed to do to notch his name on the nation’s roster for next month’s Games in Tokyo.

Competing in the final of the 1free tonight in Adelaide, the native South Australian punched a time of 47.59, easily clearing the field, as well as the Aussie-mandated qualification time of 48.33. And, the 22-year-old wasn’t alone, with Matt Temple also making the cut with a runner-up result of 48.32.

As for Chalmers, his post-race interview points to the fact that he is relishing the opportunity to compete in what he calls, ‘one of the greatest races in history’ come the 100m free in Tokyo. He’ll most likely have a repeat battle against American Caeleb Dressel while Russia’s Kliment Kolesnikov and Italy’s Alessandro Miressi are also among the mix of would-be medal contenders.

Chalmerssaid he ‘came out tonight and did exactly what I had to do, just swim with intent and get myself fired up.’ Chalmers also says that having already qualified in the men’s 200m free, his first title of this meet, helped alleviate some of the pressure heading into this main event, fueling him to hit his first 47-point 100m free since he posted a 47.99 in January of 2020.

Chalmers says his skills have come a long way since Rio and acknowledges that executing one good dive and one good turn is all on him once the final race arrives.

 

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M Palota
3 years ago

The young man is a pro’s pro. Very well spoken.

Marklewis
3 years ago

He lost to Dressel last time they met and he will lose again in Tokyo.

He won the Olympics with a slow time. He has been beaten many times since.

He’ll be lucky to get a medal behind the two Americans.

Robbos
Reply to  Marklewis
3 years ago

Sad comment!!!!

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Robbos
3 years ago

Pretty lame … I like Kyle , he is a stud and respects Dressel – i remember in 2019 , after the final was done , they shared mutual respect in the pool . That toxic comment seems to destroys that blindly …
He is coming back from surgery and that takes a lot of grit +passion . It has to be recognized respectfully

Robbos
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
3 years ago

Who’s being lame? Me or Mark Lewis? What toxic comment?

Curious swimmer
Reply to  Marklewis
3 years ago

I’m hoping this ages poorly, I’m looking forward to a dogfight at the Olympics, they have different race strategies and we will see their hard work in action in a few weeks.

There's no doubt that he's tightening up
Reply to  Marklewis
3 years ago

Couldn’t you learn a little class from Dressel?

Unlike many commenters down here, Dressel and Chalmers have the utmost respect for each other.

Marklewis

Dressel is a fierce
competitor that disguises it well. He expects to win at every major meet and has perfected his races in order to do so. Check out his Superman start. That took years of work and power lifting to produce that start.

If Dressel is all matey with Kyle, it’s only because he just beat him. Dressel is no nice-guy type like Adrian. Dressel is a killer.

Last edited 3 years ago by Marklewis
Robbos
Reply to  Marklewis
3 years ago

Don’t mistake Mateship for a lack of killer instinct.
There is a documentary called Head above water on Prime/Amazon in Australia showing how his coach told him to go easy at training after shoulder injury & only go 80% & allow shoulder to heal.
Chalmers didn’t understand that, ‘that’s not fun’, even at training he wants to win every time.
I don’t know too many 18 year Olympic champions in the men’s 100 free.
Chalmers is a winner, so is Dressel, hence why this race is going to be amazing.

Marklewis
Reply to  Robbos
3 years ago

Yes, they’re both exceptional athletes.

Philip Johnson
Reply to  Marklewis
3 years ago

He barely lost, it will be a close race and honestly I can’t put one in front of the other.

Robbos
Reply to  Philip Johnson
3 years ago

Exactly, in the Australian coverage, they talked to Chalmers & he said both he & Dressel are good mates & they don’t see each other as the enemy. He also said he was was mates with Peaty & he said he (Peaty) hated all his rivals.
Likewise with Titmus, every time she talks, she gives Ledecky the respect she deserves as the Legend that she is & that she needs a WR to have a chance to beat her.

Last edited 3 years ago by Robbos
Reply to  Marklewis
3 years ago

The problem with Olympics there always another fish in the pond.Everyone talking about Dressel X Chalmers, and out of nowhere, Minakov wins!

Deep end
Reply to  DDias
3 years ago

Apple or Held or KK could win too. This could be one of the best races all time

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Deep end
3 years ago

the depth is unmatched in the 100 free this year ….Apple , KK ore Held could pull an upset here . Can’t wait to witness greatness in Tokyo

Troyy
Reply to  Deep end
3 years ago

I think if Dressel were to lose one of his main events at Tokyo his facade of humbleness would crack.

Dudeman
Reply to  Marklewis
3 years ago

I think we’ve been spoiled by some great 100m swimmers in the last few years, and especially this year but 47.5 at 18 years old (and in an olympic final) is an amazing swim and nowhere near slow.

That being said, if he goes out in 23.0 at the olympics he won’t win and I’d feel confident in saying he might even be bumped to bronze or 4th place if the field swims to their potential. I feel like he had a bit of rest going into this meet but didn’t fully taper. Including Rio, he tends to drop around 0.2-0.5 from trials to the big meet, so he’s still looking around the 47.2 to 47.0 range, which will put… Read more »

SwimWood
Reply to  Marklewis
3 years ago

Chalmers only lost by 0.12s and his reaction time off the blocks was 0.10s slower. Dressels skills were near perfect whereas Chalmers was atrocious to say the least. He came up in first place from the dive at the Aussie trials this time around so it looks to me that he has spent the past two years honing in on the skills.
My old man always said to me “Never rule out a champion”. Kyle has been there and done that, he knows how to win and only a fool would write him off.

Horninco
3 years ago

Going to be a great race between dressel getting out fast and Kyle charging hard down the stretch plus all the other players mixed in

Notanyswimmer
3 years ago

I think the final will be Dressel, Held, Chalmers, Kolesnikov, Minakov, Miressi, Nemeth, and Grousset. Has to be the most stacked men’s 100 free final since 2009. All 46s and 47s?

Bronder
3 years ago

One of my favourite swimmers right now, a great competitor and genuinely welcomes the challenge, not something you see often, especially when you have to race Dressel

Kevin
3 years ago

He wont win.Dressel will

Tomek
Reply to  Kevin
3 years ago

Let’s wait for the race…

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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