Cameron McEvoy has kick-started his campaign to defend his 50m freestyle crown at next year’s World Aquatic Championships in Doha (Qatar) with an effortless 22 seconds flat morning swim in his return to competition at the first Queensland Preparation Meet (LC).
The 29-year-old joined hundreds of Queensland swimmers of all ages who turned out at Brisbane Aquatic Centre, over the weekend, with McEvoy joined by his Tokyo and Fukuoka teammate Zac Stubblety-Cook.
McEvoy had produced the race of his life in Fukuoka in July to reign supreme in a spectacular 50m freestyle final, winning in a time of 21.06 – making him the fourth fastest man in history – taking out his maiden world title.
And McEvoy (Somerville House Aquatic Swim Club) has his sights set firmly on defending that world title under astute coach Tim Lane when Doha hosts the 21st edition of the World Aquatics Championships from February 2-18.
McEvoy is one of the first swimmers to confirm his attendance for Doha – automatic selection available for any members of the 2023 World Championship team from Fukuoka.
Another hit out at the 2023 Medal Shots Long Course Prep Meet #2 on November 10 could well be on the cards for McEvoy before the 2023 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Championships – beginning December 9.
Lining up at 8.30am in the opening session of the Preparation Meet at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre on Saturday, McEvoy beat home Commonwealth Games finalist Thomas Nowakowski (Somerset Gold Coast) 22.46 with Jayden Allum (Ipswich Grammar) third in 23.33.
Australia’s 50m freestyle sprinting prowess has never been stronger.
Just hours earlier, fellow Queenslander Isaac Cooper (fourth home behind McEvoy in Fukuoka) gave the Australian team’s World Cup tour in Berlin off to a flyer, winning the 50m freestyle final in 21.93, beating Michael Andrew (USA) 22.03) and Stan Pijnenburg (NED) 22.04.
Post Doha, McEvoy will immediately re-set his priorities on a fourth Olympic campaign for Paris at the Australian Trials next June.
Olympic champion and former world record holder for 200m breaststroke, Zac Stubblety-Cook (Chandler) had two hit outs at the Prep Meet – winning the 100m breaststroke in 1:00.14 (28.56, 31.58) ahead of Nash Wilkes (Southport) 1:01.97.
Wilkes later turned the tables on Stubblety-Cook -winning the 50m breaststroke in 28.33 ahead of the 200m specialist in 28.64 – a fraction outside his 100m split.
Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games finalist Bowen Gough (Griffith University was a comfortable winner in his specialist 200m butterfly in 2:01.32.
