Ariarne Titmus has given an insight into her close relationship with coach Dean Boxall

Ariarne Titmus has given an insight into her close relationship with coach Dean Boxall, declaring: “He knows me better that I know myself I think.’’

St Peters Western Swim Club’s Ariarne Titmus has given an insight into her close relationship with coach Dean Boxall, declaring: “He knows me better that I know myself I think.’’

Titmus was speaking after being crowned Hancock Prospecting Olympic Program Swimmer of the Year, the Short Course Swimmer of the Year and the Hancock Prospecting Patron Award during a gala Swimming Australia awards’ night in Sydney on Sunday.

Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Boxall claimed the Hancock Prospecting Olympic Program Coach of the Year and the Youth Coach of the Year.

TITMUS HONOURED TO RECEIVE TOP AWARD

Titmus, who in July stunned the swimming world when she downed USA great Katie Ledecky to become 400m freestyle world champion, said her close relationship with coach Boxall was a driving force behind her success.

Ariarne Titmus with her coach Dean Boxall at St Peters Indooroopilly. Pic Mark Cranitch.

“I don’t think you can get much closer and it is part of the reason we have been so successful,’’ Titmus said.

“I trust exactly what he is writing (training program) for me and he trusts me.

“We just click.

“He knows me better that I know myself I think.

“He knows what works.

“We are on the same page in terms of athlete-coach, but we are good friends as well.’’

THE DAY TITMUS MET TRACEY WICKHAM

When Titmus started swimming in Tasmania ahead of moving to St Peters Western in mid-secondary school, she was schooled on a training diet of hard work, volume of work and more hard work.

Dean Boxall. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

By her own admission there was “nothing fluffy’’ about any of her programs prior to joining Boxall at St Peters Western. Hence linking with Boxall was a match made in heaven.

“That helped me a lot because there are a lot of swimmers more naturally talented and who could probably afford not to train as hard as I do,’’ the St Peters Lutheran College past student said.

“But I am in events that require a volume of training, and I don’t think I’m one of the most naturally talented.’’

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Indeed Titmus said there would be few sporting organisation whose athletes endured as tough a training program than she and her peers at St Peters, but it was what made the club successful. St Peters were the No. 1 senior and junior swimming club in Australia.

Titmus also said the training environment at St Peters generated by her club mates who “push each other’’ contributed to her success as well.