Favourite event: 50m Freestyle, but I am not that good at it! So I suppose 200m Breaststroke, as it is my best event.
Finest ever performance/Why: 200m Breaststrple at the Japan International meet, Chiba in August 2007. It was a huge PB and huge relief. I got my taper slightly wrong last summer, but it was perfect for Japan. It was a perfect situation racing Kitajima in his own country. My plan was to stick as close to him as possible, and to actually be closing on him in the final length, was very exciting.
First senior international meet: European Short Course 2004.
Role models: I try not to idolise people too much.
My aspirations are: World record and Olympic Gold. Up until last year the target was 2012. But after my performance in Japan last year, I plan to do something in Beijing. However, I don’t think I will reach my peak for another couple of years, so wait for 2011 and 2012. I plan to alter my training slightly after the Olympics and work on more strength work, and hopefully get faster over 100Br. I feel the little things will make all the difference.
Tip for the top: Goal setting is the most important thing. Rarely do you achieve more than your ultimate goal.
Life after swimming: Do not know yet. I have a degree in Sports Science, so may go back to education.
Music: I have am open music taste. I quite like the Fratellis at the moment.
If I wasn’t a swimmer I would be a: I would probably be doing another sport. I was reasonably good at tennis because I have really good hand-eye coordination.
Football, Cricket or Rugby: Rugby, but only international. Despise cricket, although 20:20 is bareable.
Describe yourself in three words: Grumpy / Manic / Excitable
Would most like to meet: Muhammad Ali. He is such a legend and so clever. He used his head to get the better of his opponents. He trained smart, and really knew how to use the psychological aspect of sport as a tool.
Most prized possession: A watch my girlfriend gave to me.
Biggest influence on career: All coaches. They’ve all had faith in me. All saw the potential in me, and their belief gave me the confidence to perform.
What has your current coach done different to others? Fred’s philosophy is different, and it has taken me a good year before I started to see vast improvements. One thing he does is place land training as an equal to swimming work, rather than only a compliment to it.
