Tokyo: Japan`s backstroke king Ryosuke Irie remains confident he can overcome American rivals Ryan Lochte and Aaron Peirsol at the world swimming championships next week.
"Seeing my rivals up close has given me the taste for it," Irie told Japanese media on Friday after taking his first dip in Rome`s outdoor pool.
"It`s going to be very tight but I can`t wait for it."
Irie underlined his title credentials earlier this month by completing a 100 and 200 metres double at the student games in Belgrade.
"I`ll be at my peak," he insisted. "Belgrade was also an outdoor pool and my goal here will be exactly the same -- to win gold. Coming in first is more important than the time."
Irie shattered the men`s 200m backstroke record in Canberra two months ago, wiping a second off Lochte`s previous mark, but governing body FINA refused to ratify the mark as his bodysuit was not on their approved list.
Peirsol then broke the 100 and 200m world records at the US national championships earlier this month, although his 200 time did not break the 1:53 barrier Irie swam in Australia.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, July 24, 2009, 14:38
