Australia's new swimming superstar Mitchell Larkin knows he'll be a target for the big guns of backstroke but refuses to be intimidated.
After completing the 100m and 200m backstroke double at this year's world championships, Larkin quipped that he had "pissed off a few people" with the upset result.
Two gold in Kazan would have guaranteed his 2015 would be remembered as a breakout year, but he hasn't rested on his laurels and has continued improving.
He pushed the 1 min 53 sec 200m barrier earlier this month when he clocked 1:53.24 at the World Cup in Dubai.
Now he has designs to break 1:52, which would take him within striking distance of Aaron Peirsol's world record of 1:51.92.
Larkin knows that at whatever meet he goes to between now and the Rio Olympics, starting with the Australian Short Course Championships in Sydney this week, his rivals will be gunning for him.
While success has increased expectation, Larkin said it's also imbued him with the confidence that he can perform on the world's biggest stage.
"It's hard not to feel under pressure, the pressure is always going to be there," Larkin said.
"For me it's about confidence. I know I've swum consistently fast in the 100 and 200 this year.
"We also put pressure on ourselves to keep improving and that's the one thing I'm looking forward to."
By his side on his journey towards Rio will be his girlfriend Emily Seebohm who knows all too well the pressures of being top dog.
Seebohm, who matched Larkin's efforts in Kazan with gold in the 100m and 200m backstroke, said that after reaching the peak she's determined to stay there.
"Back in the day I was the 14-year-old that wanted to beat the girls who were 23-24 and now I'm that older girl and I've got a job to do and keep doing that," Seebohm said.
As well as his pet 100m and 200m events, Larkin will also compete in the 50m backstroke at the national short course titles at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
Seebohm has a full program of events with the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, 100m IM and 100m freestyle.
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