McEvoy not fazed by underdog status

Australian swimming star Cameron McEvoy admits he is underrated ahead of his quest for the sprint double at the world titles in Russia.

Watching a replay of his greatest success to date has only made Australian swimming star Cameron McEvoy feel like an underdog ahead of the world titles in Russia.

McEvoy is eyeing off not one but two world titles in Kazan following the withdrawal of defending champions James Magnussen (100m freestyle) and France's Yannick Agnel (200m).

The 21-year-old showed he was worthy of the sprint double when he upstaged the likes of Olympic champion Nathan Adrian and teammate Magnussen to claim the 2014 Pan Pacific 100m freestyle crown.

American 18-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps only managed fourth.

However, viewing footage of the star studded race did not exactly make McEvoy feel like a world beater ahead of the Kazan titles.

"I watched the American replay of the Pan Pacs (100m final) and in the introduction I didn't even rate a mention," McEvoy laughed.

"It was only in the last 20m that they started to talk about me in that race.

"But it honestly doesn't bother me. It's awesome to be the underdog.

"It means I get to come out and surprise some people and hopefully inspire others."

McEvoy is world No.3 in the 100m this year (48.02 seconds), but his PB (47.65) set when he upstaged Magnussen at last year's national titles would have also claimed 2013 world championship gold (47.71).

McEvoy is primed to tangle with Adrian and hometown favourite Vladimir Morozov in the two-lap sprint at Kazan with Magnussen (shoulder) sidelined.

The door is also open in the four-lap distance for the world top five-ranked, reigning national 200m champion after the withdrawal of Agnel (pleurisy).

Not that McEvoy expects to be soaking up any hype ahead of the Kazan world titles.

"I am probably (underrated). But it doesn't bother me if I am underrated or overrated," McEvoy laughed.

"Even if I finish last, if I have done my fastest time I am happy.

"That's what it has always been about for me, bettering myself ... and enjoying the experience.

"I do think about it, the possibility of getting a podium finish but I know better than to focus too much on that."


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Source: AAP


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