An emerging rival may have caught his attention but Olympic champion Mack Horton credits a "man crush" on distance great Greg Paltrinieri for inspiring him ahead of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games swimming trials.
The Rio 400m-freestyle gold medallist knows he will be the hunted at the four-day trials starting on February 28 - and it seems Gold Coast teenager Elijah Winnington has him in his sights.
Winnington - just 17 - lived up to his name with a shock 400m freestyle victory over world titles silver medallist Horton at last month's NSW championships.
The teenager then backed up at the NSW titles to defeat Commonwealth Games silver medallist Cameron McEvoy in the 200m freestyle.
"It's awesome to see young kids coming through," Horton said of Winnington.
"It is what the team needs and what Australian swimming needs to inspire others to get into the team.
"He has proven he can swim fast in season - I am looking forward to seeing what he can bring."
But it seems Horton, 21, is an even bigger fan of 1500m freestyle Olympic and world champion Paltrinieri.
The pair struck up a friendship while training together in Melbourne years ago, so much so they went on holiday together with their partners after the Rio Olympics.
Paltrinieri relocated to Melbourne again in September and has been keeping Horton honest at training ahead of the Games trials.
There is no love lost when the pair tangle in the 1500m freestyle, but there is no shortage of it out of the pool it seems.
Horton called it a "man crush".
"When we were leaving the pool one day he put his arm around me and said 'our love is platonic'," Horton laughed.
"I said 'okay, thanks for that Greg'.
"But training side by side we push each other all the time."
Share
