RACES TO WATCH AT 2015 WORLD SWIMMING TITLES IN KAZAN, RUSSIA FROM AUGUST 2-9
MEN'S 100M FREESTYLE
World champion James Magnussen (shoulder) may be absent but Australia will still have a huge presence in the blue riband sprint event thanks to Pan Pacific gold medallist Cameron McEvoy. The Gold Coast physics student is hugely underrated but appears primed to upstage a world class field featuring Olympic champion Nathan Adrian of the US and warm hometown favourite Vladimir Morozov.
WOMEN'S 100M FREESTYLE
Unbeaten over 100m since late 2012, Australia's defending world champion Cate Campbell will be looking over her surgically repaired shoulder in Kazan. She is aiming to become the first woman to defend the 100m world title in 40 years after what looked set to be career limiting shoulder surgery late last year. Those out to defy her making history include her younger sister Bronte, Holland's Femke Heemskerk, Swedish superstar Sarah Sjostrom and Olympic champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo.
MEN'S 1500M FREESTYLE
He may be the world's No.1 ranked 400m and 800m swimmer in 2015 but young gun Mack Horton is expected to shine in the 30-lap epic event that Australia once owned. Horton has impressed no less than comeback king Grant Hackett - a dual 1500m Olympic champion - at training. However, he will need all the tips he can get from teammate Hackett to oust China's Olympic champion Sun Yang in Kazan.
WOMEN'S 100M BACKSTROKE
Australia's Emily Seebohm finally turned the tables on American Olympic and world champion Missy Franklin at last year's Pan Pacific titles. However, the real test looms in Kazan. Franklin has fully recovered from the back spasms that all but derailed her Pan Pacs campaign and will again have her great rival Seebohm in her sights.
WOMEN'S 100M BUTTERFLY
Quietly spoken Emma McKeon looks set to make some major noise in this event after dominating the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with four gold. She may also have an eye on threatening the 200m freestyle title but golden girl McKeon appears the woman to beat in the 'fly despite Sjostrom looming large.
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