WATCH: Kyle Chalmers on the Motivation and Sacrifice it Takes to Become World Champion

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman HodgesGarrett McCaffrey, and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with newly crowned world champion Kyle Chalmers to dissect his performances at the short course world championships. Chalmers breaks down his historic swims and the pressure of racing on home soil. The Olympic champion is currently getting a week of training under his belt with fellow Icon and world-topper, Adam Peaty. Chalmers says they are wired similarly and it’s been a great learning experience training with him. 

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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Anon
1 year ago

Thanks so much for this interview. It was great to hear him talking about Isaac and the relays. That medley relay was probably one of the most exciting relays I’ve seen. And he has rescued Australia so many times. Hope Adam enjoys the Aussie countryside!

Beginner Swimmer at 25
1 year ago

Relay goat

The alpha dog
1 year ago

GOAT

ICU
1 year ago

Remember this down the line, when we are comparing Kyle’s and Dressel’s legacy – While Dressel was cowering afraid, abandoning his team, sitting at home playing Pokémon, King Kyle was throwing down WR splits for his nation. Even when Dressel swam relays for his team they were sub par splits.

bossanova
Reply to  ICU
1 year ago

Dressel will be back. Trust me.

…also there ain’t nothing wrong with a grown man playing Pokémon

anonymous
Reply to  ICU
1 year ago

I don;t know Caleb swam 100 fly on medley relay in Tokyo Olympics in 49.0. That doesn’t seem to me to be a sub par split on the American World Record relay.

SuperSwimmer 2000
Reply to  ICU
1 year ago

You beclown yourself.

Katie
Reply to  ICU
1 year ago

And we wonder why athletes develop anxiety and depression. *rolls eyes*

Andrew
1 year ago

Chalmers got that dog in him.

If i had to choose someone to anchor to save the race, I’d choose Dressel

If i had to choose someone to anchor to save my life, I’d choose Chalmers

Greg
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

That makes no sense

Alaverga
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

Dramatic nonsense

ICU
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

Dressel doesn’t even swim good splits on the relays…

anonymous
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

Short course meters is Michael Andrew’s worst racing format yet he beat Kyle Chalmers in the 50 free heats. MA beat Kyle Chalmers heads up in two relays. ‘Mixed 4×50 relay lead off Kyle 20.97 lead off Michael Andrew 20.81. 4×50 medley relay anchor Kyle Chalmers 20.48 anchor Michael Andrew 20.39. Currently Caleb Dressel is happy but not swimming.

Sub13
Reply to  anonymous
1 year ago

The 50 free is Michael Andrew’s best event and Kyle Chalmers’ worst and yet Kyle threw down one of the fastest splits of all time and is ranked higher than him this year. But please continue embarrassing yourself.

anonymous
Reply to  Sub13
1 year ago

NOPE Michael Andrew put up the fastest free splits in Mixed 4×50 free and Men’s 4×50 medley. That was in head to head competition. It is hard to know what is MA’s best event. He is American Record holder in the 100 meter breaststroke. He swam 50.0 100 meter fly on relay. He swims 200 IM 1:55.2.

Troyy
Reply to  anonymous
1 year ago

His best individual LC medal came in the 50 free. Until he betters that it’s his best event. This is the first time Chalmers has ever swum 50 free at a international championship.

anonymous
Reply to  Troyy
1 year ago

SCM is MA’s weakest swim format and yet he still beat Kyle Chalmers 3 times. Twice on relays which Kyle himself is saying he really, really gets pumped up for.

Troyy
Reply to  anonymous
1 year ago

MA won 100 IM gold in 2016 at only 17 so he can’t be too weak in SCM.

Anonymous
Reply to  Troyy
1 year ago

This was a SCM World Championship not LCM. Everyone wants to forget that Kyle Chalmers holds the Australian National record in 50 free SCM and he has much more experience than MA in SCM. Despite that MA beat him three times twice on relays.

Troyy
Reply to  Anonymous
1 year ago

This is Michael Andrew’s fourth SCM world championships (2016, 2018, 2021, 2022) and also competed in two ISL seasons. For comparison this is Chalmers first SCM world championships and he only competed in ISL one season. Andrew also grew up training in a short course pool while Chalmers trains long course.

Sub13
Reply to  Troyy
1 year ago

It’s like they’re trying to embarrass themselves lol

Gummy Shark
1 year ago

He has truly sacrificed a lot. I hope that when it is time to retire, he finds other activities that he can enjoy just like Michael Phelps did.

Daaaave
1 year ago

Excellent interview, and really generous on Kyle’s part to speak so openly and thoughtfully. That mindset will make him very dangerous from now through Paris.

Also, anchoring a relay for a come-behind win is not talked about enough as a singular experience in sport (even if done far from the elite level :)). it’s like a 3-pointer from the buzzer or header during stoppage time but plays out over more than an instant and has a different physical exertion element.

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