By rights, Australia's Mitch Larkin admits he shouldn't be contesting backstroke at the world swimming championships in Russia.
But it appears the former medley swimmer is getting the hang of it after sealing a rare 100m gold in Kazan for Australia.
And remarkably his main event is yet to come.
Whippet Larkin, 22, dug deep to hold off the overwhelming physical presence of giants Camille Lacourt of France and the US' defending champion Matt Grevers to touch them out for 100m backstroke gold on Tuesday night.
Remarkably, Larkin became the first Australian since his hero Matt Welsh to claim the 100m world crown since 2001 - and only the second to win the backstroke event since 1973.
He is just the third person in history to now hold the world short and long course 100m backstroke crowns.
And Larkin still has his world No.2-ranked pet event the 200m backstroke to come.
Yet Larkin first hit a world titles pool back in 2011 as a fresh faced, teenaged IM hope.
Then at the 2012 London trials, Larkin's coach Michael Bohl made what seems to be a defining call.
"Ahead of the 2012 Olympics I just trained for the medley," Larkin said.
"I got caught up in the hype of the trials, didn't swim a PB but fortunately there was a 200m backstroke later that week.
"Bohly said 'see what happens' and I made my first Olympics - I haven't looked back."
Well, sort of.
Larkin admitted he still mulled over his 2013 world titles disappointment where he cruised in the 200m backstroke heats to be fresh for the final, only to fail to make the semis.
"This preparation I have just looked back at 2013 and reminding myself of what happened there," he said.
"I was trying to do everything in my power to make sure that didn't happen again."
His desperation to make amends for 2013 was obvious in Kazan.
He somehow out-touched the towering Lacourt and equally imposing Grevers in 52.40 seconds - just 0.02 shy of the Commonwealth record he set in the semi-finals.
"It's only 100m. There is not so much you can really do, you just shut your eyes, swing the arms and kick like hell," Larkin said of his finish.
"I had to double check (the win on the scoreboard) but yeah this is the moment I have dreamt of for years."
More glory looms in Kazan - and it seems Rio.
Larkin should threaten in the 200m as well as the 50m backstroke in Kazan plus the medley relay.
And as for his suddenly reassessed 2016 Olympic hopes?
"I will go home and see where I did well and where I can improve on and see what is possible for next year.
"But I would like to see next year if I can go 51 (seconds)."
The world record belongs to American Aaron Peirsol who clocked 51.94 in 2009 during the supersuit era.
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