With little time to celebrate his world championships heroics, Christian Sprenger was quickly back on the job in Barcelona on Tuesday.
After breaking through for his first world title in the 100m breaststroke final on Monday night, the 27-year-old Australian backed up in the morning heats of the non-Olympic 50m event.
He did an admirable job in qualifying fourth-fastest for the semi-finals in 27.30 seconds as South African Cameron van der Burgh (26.78) set a cracking pace.
Despite the excitement of winning Australia's first gold medal of the meet, Sprenger was able to get a good night's sleep.
But he admitted returning to the pool so quickly presented its challenges.
"It's a new thing for me I guess," Sprenger said.
"There was really no time to dwell on it too much. Plenty of time to party later.
"It's about getting back on the job.
"This morning was a bit tough and I had to really get myself going and there were some pretty quick times.
"I'm pretty happy with that heat and look forward to semis."
While Sprenger came into both the 50m and 100m ranked first in the world this year, Olympic 100m champion van der Burgh showed his hand for the 50 with a heat time just 0.11 seconds outside his own world record.
"Cameron's very tough in this event, I've got to say," Sprenger said.
"The 100's the most special event for me.
"But, see what happens. I'm in a good space right now so come final time, if I get there, it could be a good race."
Australians Bronte Barratt (1:57.14) and Kylie Palmer (1:57.67) reached the 200m freestyle semi-finals behind fastest qualifier Camille Muffat (1:56.53) of France.
Grant Irvine progressed to the 200m butterfly semis, clocking 1:57.18 to be 12th-quickest in the heats.
Australian teenager Jordan Harrison secured the eighth and final spot on offer in Wednesday night's 800m freestyle final.
The 18-year-old posted a personal-best 7:52.55 in the preliminaries of the non-Olympic event, while American Connor Jaeger (7:49.28) was fastest qualifier ahead of China's Sun Yang (7:49.37).
Harrison finished sixth in the 400m freestyle final and will also contest his pet event, the 1500m freestyle, later this week.
"It's my first long course (team) and I'm just trying to soak it all up and get the best out of myself so two from two (finals), I'm pretty happy," Harrison said.
"I've just got to try and go better again in the final tomorrow night."
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