Alex Graham has set the benchmark for a stacked final of the men’s 200m freestyle at the world championship trials in Brisbane, qualifying quickest for Monday night’s final ahead of Olympic 100m champion Kyle Chalmers.
Bond University swimmer Graham was already under the world championship qualifying time in his heat on Monday morning at the Chandler pool, clocking 1:46.14s to earn lane four ahead of Chalmers, who will be charging late after a 1:46.35s heat swim.
Second billing: Kyle Chalmers (centre) was second behind Alex Graham in qualifying.Credit:AAP
Clyde Lewis and Cameron McEvoy were next, with the latter stripping more than two seconds off his season best as he tries to earn a top-two spot or a slot in what looks to be a relay of huge potential one year out from the Tokyo Games.
Mack Horton has also qualified as he tries to find a way onto the team after missing the qualifying time for his pet event the 400m. He looked sharp enough in the heats but it will be the deepest race on the program and competition for spots is intense.
