PRESSURE CAN TIP SCALES FOR CHALMERS
KYLE Chalmers says he is deliberately heaping pressure on himself before major races in a ploy he hopes will continue to bring out his best at the Games.
The 19-year-old 100m freestyle Olympic champion delivered on huge expectations at the trials this month by winning the 100m and 200m double.
And he once again proved his big-race credentials by winning the 100m from lane one in an ominous warning to his rivals.
“The 200m I definitely felt the pressure in and I embraced it which was nice,” said Chalmers, who likes watching videos of NBA star Kevin Durant pre-race.
“But the 100m heats I wasn’t feeling the pressure as much, and I know going into that final I wanted to put the pressure on myself.
“Just so I could get maybe a little bit more nervous than what I wanted to be, and that definitely helps me think about all the stuff that is riding on me swimming well – and ultimately that’s what helped me swim well from lane one.
“Obviously Comm Games is on home soil and there’s going to be a lot of Australians in the stands, so there will be a lot of pressure on me to perform. So I can’t wait to be feeling those nerves at the Comm Games.”
Chalmers also revealed after the trials that he had a passion away from the pool – lizards. His collection is set to grow with 23 bearded dragon eggs about to hatch at home.
Chalmers said he was surprised at the level of media interest in his hobby, which began when he used to go lizard collecting with his granddad. “I was pretty excited about it, to be honest – it’s one of my huge passions and it makes me happy to talk about them,” he said.