While bidding for a fifth consecutive world individual medley title may weigh heavily on the shoulders of some, Paralympic champion Sascha Kindred insists he is relishing the pressure at this year’s IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow.
One of the most decorated and experienced Paralympic swimmers in British history, 37-year-old Kindred could be forgiven for easing off as he enters the twilight of his career.
Aside from the 12 Paralympic medals in his collection, Kindred has also accumulated no fewer than eight world golds with the first, as part of the 4x50m freestyle relay team, coming back in Christchurch in 1998.
At the four Championships since then, he has been a constant sight at the top of the podium having dominated the 200m individual medley – something he aims to continue this summer when the Championships take place at Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre from July 13-19.
However he is sure to face plenty of competition, not least from current Paralympic champion Xu Qing of China, the man who pipped Kindred to gold at London 2012.
But roared on by another British crowd, Kindred is confident he can rise to the occasion.
“I’ve been doing the big competitions for a few years now and have travelled around the world but having the home fans in London made a big difference from any other competition I’ve experienced,” said Kindred.
“Hopefully the World Championships in Glasgow will be the same. It definitely gives you a boost and you feed off of the crowd.
“Obviously there is a bit more pressure to perform but I try and turn that pressure into a positive.
I still feel like I’m performing at the top of my game. I set a new 200m individual medley at last year’s Europeans.
“I’ve won 200m individual medley gold at the last four World Championships so that’s the main one I’ll be looking to perform well in.
“Xu Qing will be one of the favourites. I beat him the year after London, but he will be trying to be the world champion. It will be a really good race I’m sure. I just love racing, I get a buzz from it.”
With the Rio 2016 Paralympics ticking ever closer, this year’s Worlds will give Kindred an insight into how he currently stands compared to the world’s best.
Although the experienced swimmer will not be letting his mind drift too far ahead, insisting he takes each swimming meet one at a time.
“The younger guys are coming through and it’s about trying to stay ahead and that’s what I think about in training,” he added.
“With Rio coming up, we are seeing a lot of South Americans coming through as they want to put on a good show next year, there are a lot of talented swimmers out there.
“I’m just focusing on the World Championships for now and I’ll see what happens there. If I can perform my best hopefully it will get me on the podium.
“I would love to be in Rio, but you can never say what is going to happen as a lot can change between now and then.”
Courtesy of Sportsbeat