Master coach Cotterell remembers Grant Hackett’s 1998 splash

IT WAS the moment swimming great Grant Hackett announced his arrival on the world scene.

Gold Coast History: Gold Coast Bulletin 1998, January 20. Front page.

IT WAS the moment swimming great Grant Hackett announced his arrival on the world scene.

The fresh-faced superfish was the toast of the Coast when, as a 17-year-old, he made his appearance at the 1998 World Championships in Perth and promptly won two gold.

Surrounded by his schoolmates from Merrimac High School, the then blushing 17-year-old brushed off his achievements and said: “I’m still very young and I am yet to develop into a man.”

More than 17 years later, Hackett, who is back in training, said he remembered every moment of the meet, including the pressure to win the 1500m.

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“There was a lot riding on the 1500m swim because Kieren Perkins had said in the lead-up that I wouldn’t be a serious contender unless I could break the 15-minute barrier, so it was all about executing the perfect race,” he said.

“I remember getting out there in the first 300-400m and getting a strong lead before finishing and looking up to see 14.51 on the clock which was one of the most unbelievable feelings I have ever had.

“Doing that in front of mum and dad with an Aussie home crowd in that open stadium was a huge thrill.

“I was 17 at the time and all I cared about was my mates, who I was really close to and to be able to celebrate with them at the airport was hugely satisfying.”

Gold Coast History: Gold Coast Bulletin 1998, January 20. P7.

Hackett returned to the Gold Coast a hometown hero on January 19, 1998, with Hackett’s mates making up a crowd of 60 who greeted him, chanting “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie ... Oi, Oi, Oi”.

Watching poolside through the championships was master coach Denis Cotterell, who said he still feels immensely proud of the achievements his young student made then.

“I was pretty bloody proud because it was his first big breakthrough and I am amazed to realise it was nearly 20 years ago now,” Cotterell said.

“It was the moment he came to everyone’s attention and won the championships and I thought he had the 400m shot to pieces after a few bad turns but he only got pipped by Thorpie in the last stroke.

“We did not know it going in, but that championship was the start of the next big era of Australian swimming with Grant and Thorpie coming up and (Michael Klim) Klimmy there too.”

Gold Coast History: Gold Coast Bulletin 1998, January 20. P5

With Hackett now on the comeback trail, Cotterell is training his most famous student for one last shot at the podium.

The proud coach said it was a full-circle journey for Hackett.

“It is funny to be talking about this all again because Grant is in the pool right now getting ready for another world championships,” he said.