Legendary coach accepts para swimmer for first time
Tom Gallagher senses his duty after becoming the first para swimmer accepted into the program of legendary coach Dean Boxall.
Gallagher is among a 25-strong Australian squad for the world para swimming championships in Singapore from September 21-27.
The 26-year-old freestyler and backstroker, who has cerebral palsy and races in S10 events, joined Boxall only five weeks ago.
"It's a very big honour for me, to be the first para swimmer under Dean," Gallagher told AAP on Friday night.
"It's also a responsibility to represent the para community with pride and show that we don't have any limitations.
"If I can do the hardest program in Australia, why can't anyone else?"
Gallagher, who has won one gold and three bronze medals from his two Paralympics, approached Boxall, who coaches star able-bodied swimmers including Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O'Callaghan.
"I just reached out ... and they let me in five weeks ago," he said.
"It has changed the game for me. It has made me fall in love again with swimming.
"It has been the hardest five weeks of training in my life but I have loved every second of it.
"The squad there, the support staff, Dean - it's just the perfect environment.
"And to be surrounded by the best athletes in the world, it's unbelievable and it gets the best out of myself."
Australia's para team for the looming worlds includes 17-year-old rookie Declan Budd and 22 swimmers who raced at last year's Paris Paralympics.
The Paris opening ceremony flag bearer, Brenden Hall, will compete at his fifth and final world titles in Singapore.
The Dolphins' para team also features Ben Hance, who broke his own world record in the 100m backstroke (S14) at the Adelaide trials.
Hance set a fresh benchmark of 56.35 seconds in a heat swim on Friday morning.
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