Little-known Matthew Abood dunked his famous training partner Eamon Sullivan in the 50m freestyle at the world championships trials in Sydney last night.
The 198cm swimmer announced his arrival as the latest star attraction in Grant Stoelwinder's super squad by touching out the world record holder by 0.03sec.
But rather than be disappointed by Abood's triumph (21.93), Sullivan (21.96) felt he had dodged a bullet by picking up an individual swim in Rome.
He had good reason to feel fortunate as Ashley Callus (22.05) produced his slowest effort of the week to miss out on a trip to worlds in July.
Abood, who towers over Sullivan, was still in shock at his result having already booked a spot on the 4x100m relay team.
''It feels amazing. I don't believe it,'' he said. ''Yeah, it has been a big week. I have not slept much and I have learned a lot about myself.''
Along with Garth Kates, Abood had been an anonymous member of Stoelwinder's star-studded squad before his one-lap victory.
On becoming better known, he said, ''That's all right''.
It has been a whirlwind few months for Abood after moving from Kingscliff on the NSW-Queensland border to Sydney to train under Stoelwinder.
Sullivan, 23, was grinning that he had earned an individual swim after having hip surgery two months ago.
''Fortunately for me I put together a race that was just good enough,'' he said.
Sullivan joked that he had to stop handing out advice to Abood.
''I see the potential he has for swimming. He has a great body. I'm not saying it is good looking but it is tall and lean,'' he said. ''Similar to me but bigger. He thanked me after he won so I can't get angry.''
Stephanie Rice (2min07.85sec) had her busy program trimmed for her with Samantha Hamill (2:07.73) tipping her out in the 200m butterfly.
Jess Schipper (2:5.93) continued her hot run of form by comfortably winning the four-lap race and looks primed for success in Italy.
Olympic champion Rice (4:36.71) rebounded to retain her 400m medley title, qualifying for up to six races in Italy.
''I was so buggered after that 200m fly I am happy that I got through,'' she said.
A fast-finishing Christian Sprenger (2:12.04) took down his nemesis Brenton Rickard (2:12.10) in a classic showdown in the 200m breaststroke.
In only his second race over the distance, 18-year-old Ryan Napoleon conquered the field in the 1500m freestyle timed final.
The 18-year-old nearly cracked the 15-minute barrier in just his second swim over the distance to revive hopes of Australia continuing its proud history in the 30-lap race.
He stopped the clock at 15:1.99 in the timed final after entering the event as a ''novelty''.
Grant Hackett's retirement last year looked to have exposed Australia's depth in distance swimming but Napoleon has given reason for optimism.
He swam his first 1500m at a Brisbane meet last month in 15:35.80 to qualify in lane one for last night's race.
Napoleon, who had already made the team for July's world titles with second place in the 400m, slashed more than 30 seconds off his 1500m time yesteday and promised there was more to come.
''Big shoes to fill,'' he said. ''I feel like I am going to be training for it now and I think I should be able to drop a few more seconds.'' AAP
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