Duel in the Pool: Commonwealth Games’ Brad Woodward backing himself for Paris Olympic shot

He’s a multiple world and Commonwealth Games medallist on a mission to create waves in Paris. But first he’s got a Duel in the Pool to swim.

He’s a multiple world and Commonwealth Games medallist on a mission to create waves in Paris. But first he’s got a Duel in the Pool to swim.

It’s not Kyle Chambers or Cody Simpson or any of the other Australian swimmers now almost household names.

But this swimmer stroking under the radar has the same high aspirations as his high-profile teammates after missing the team for the Tokyo Olympics.

And courtesy of recent top form, Brad Woodward has earned a call up to the Duel in the Pool - an event he watched as a swim-mad 10-year-old and has never forgotten.

“I remember seeing the last one when I was around 10,” he said.

Australia silver medallists Kyle Chalmers, Matthew Temple, Zac Stubblety-Cook and Brad Woodward in Birmingham. Pic: Michael Klein

“I remember Libby Trickett broke the world record but it wasn’t allowed because it was against men.

“I watched it at home and I never thought I would be there. I was just in awe of those guys. This is so cool.’’

Woodward, studying physiotherapy at Western Sydney Uni and swimming at Sydney Olympic Park, grew up at Shelly Beach on the Central Coast competing in both swimming and surf life saving events.

He raced at the 2018 Commonwealth Games but missed the Tokyo Olympics and said he is now swimming for the first time in four years without a major injury.

“I was 19 at the last Commonwealth Games and felt I had more to give in the sport,’’ Woodward said.

“Now Paris is the goal. I didn’t make the Olympic team last year and missing Tokyo was a bit hard. You don’t realise how much it means to be on the team. It was the first team I’ve missed Since 2018.

“It’s made me more determined to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Gold medallists Australia's Mollie O'Callaghan, Emma McKeon, Chelsea Hodges and Kaylee McKeown in Birmingham. All are slated to race.

“But it gave me a lot of time to think about whether I was keen, did I want to keep going, should I finish my degree and get a job? I found I was still passion about it and I feel I have more improvements to make it more to give.”

The 24-year-old claimed his bronze and silver Commnwealth Games medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke events. He also won silver in the 4x100m medley relay with the NSWIS swimmer just edged for a medal in the 50m backstroke.

Brad Woodward training at Mingara on the Central Coast as a youngster.

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games he won gold in the 4x100m medley relay team and silver medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke.

Australia and the US will meet in the two-nation Duel in the Pool format for the first time since 2007 with some of the stars of the show to include Australia's powerhouse women - Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown, Mollie O’Callaghan and Ellie Cole.

Pop star Cody Simpson will be a drawcard. Pic: Getty Images

The event kicks off on Friday with a 4x800m open water relay event at Bondi and then heads indoors at Sydney Olympic Aquaryic Centre with 30 events to be race on the weekend.

AUSTRALIAN SWIM TEAM LIST FOR DUEL IN THE POOL

Grayson Bell, Shaun Champion, Ellie Cole, Kai Edwards, Chelsea Gubecka, Meg Harris, Chelsea Hodges, Mack Horton, Zac Incerti, Shayna Jack, Mitch Larkin, Kareena Lee, Kyle Lee, Se-Bom Lee, Matt Levy, Will Martin, Ash McConnell, Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown, Leah Neale, Tom Nowakowski, Mollie O’Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Cody Simpson, Brendon Smith, Matilda Smith, Mikayla Smith, Jenna Strauch, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Matt Temple, Brianna Throssell, Sam Williamson, Madi Wilson, Brad Woodward