He may be the Olympic champion but Kyle Chalmers believes American superstar Caeleb Dressel will be "the hunted" in the 100m freestyle at this week's Pan Pacs in Tokyo.
Chalmers, 19, faces his biggest test since claiming a shock Rio gold when he lines up against world champion Dressel at the four-day swimming meet starting on Thursday.
However, Chalmers claimed all the pressure would be on Dressel after the 21-year-old announced himself at last year's world titles by equalling Michael Phelps' record haul of seven gold.
"I think Dressel is probably the hunted here because he has swum so well over the past 12 months," Chalmers said.
"(But) everyone loves beating Americans. I've got some mates in the American team but once you go into that marshalling room, you want to beat the Americans.
"He (Dressel) is the best in the world and the one I want to challenge myself against. "
The heavily tattooed Dressel looks formidable but he appeared vulnerable ahead of the Pan Pacs after being upset in the 100m freestyle final at the recent US nationals, earning qualification by claiming the 100m butterfly title.
Yet Chalmers was still wary.
"I personally don't follow swimming or watch it to know results at trials but the talk of the town is Dressel not swimming that well," he said.
"But he managed to swim well at the end of the meet. He's so talented he didn't have to taper down (rest) for trials and expected to be on the team.
"He's probably going to be primed for this. He's going to be the main man in the 100m.
Chalmers insisted his Pan Pacs focus was the 200m freestyle which features on the opening day before the 100m freestyle on Friday night.
"The 200m is potentially my best bet at the moment," said Commonwealth 200m champ Chalmers.
"I've been doing a lot of work in that area. It will be good to see where I'm at on day one - hopefully, that carries on into the 100m."
While Chalmers played down the 100m clash, Australian head coach Jacco Verhaeren couldn't wait to see the Rio champion take on Dressel in the blue riband event.
"You can never rule out a world champion," he said of Dressel.
"It (Dressel threat) is still very much there.
"It's a great showdown .... a great challenge to have."
Share
