LARKIN EARNS CHANCE TO SEEK RIO REVENGE
MITCH Larkin will take another step towards banishing his swimming demons tonight when he lines up in the 100m backstroke attempting to win his way back to the top of the podium.
Larkin was riding high after winning a pair of world championships in 2015 but missed the medals in the 100m at the Rio Olympics before fighting back to claim 200m silver.
He changed coaches last year before deciding Simon Cusack’s sprint-based program was not the best fit for him and linking with Dean Boxall, whose focus on mileage best fits Larkin’s preparation both physically and mentally.
Larkin qualified fastest through the 100m heats in the opening session at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre yesterday and is out to snare his first 100m backstroke Commonwealth Games gold in tonight’s decider.
“With a few of the changes I’ve made, it’s about building that confidence again and trusting my stroke and knowing it’s there under those pressure situations,” he said.
Larkin had wanted to tackle five individual swims on the Gold Coast but dropped today’s 400m medley from his schedule to concentrate on the 100m backstroke, given the medley final is just 19 minutes before his pet event.
Gold Coaster Leiston Pickett is another who could star today as she attempts to win a third consecutive 50m breaststroke title.
Pickett, who was secondfastest through in yesterday’s heats, would celebrate a remarkable comeback if she won after failing to make an Aussie team for four years.