Australian star Kyle Chalmers opens up on coach split, new training strategy ahead of swim trials

Kyle Chalmers has made some key changes to his training and his life after parting ways with Peter Bishop following the Paris Games – and they’ll be on display at the swim trials in Adelaide.

A happy Kyle Chalmers is a dangerous Kyle Chalmers.

The Australian swimming star has opened up about some key changes in his life, saying he is the happiest he has been in years, as he looks to unleash a new strategy in the pool ahead of this week’s Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide.

The 26-year-old Olympic gold medallist has been training under new coach Shaun Curtis after parting ways with Peter Bishop following the Paris Olympics and hopes to continue building this week ahead of the July world championships in Singapore.

Chalmers took a 12-week break after the Olympics but has come back with a vengeance after training under Curtis, recently swimming a 47.2 in the 100m freestyle in Norway, his fourth fastest ever time.

“I had probably the longest break I’ve had since I started swimming so it was really good to refresh, reset and take some time to work out how the year was going to be planned out,” Chalmers said.

Australia's Kyle Chalmers has opened up on his changed training regime. Picture: Getty

“I’ve been training very differently to previously, going from doing around 50km in the pool to 25km and just being under a new coach and with a new squad, I’m absolutely loving it.

“I’m probably the happiest I’ve been for quite a number of years and really loving swimming and coming to the pool every day, having a new coach come in and look over a few different technical things.

“We’ve been training for so long now, to be back racing in Adelaide is an awesome opportunity and qualifying for my fifth world championships is my ultimate goal.”

Chalmers produced a strong 100m freestyle performance in the Paris Olympics to claim Silver but was not able to eclipse Chinese winner Pan Zhanle.

An overview shows China's Pan Zhanle (C), Australia's Kyle Chalmers (L) and Romania's David Popovici competing in the final of the 100m freestyle in Paris. Picture: AFP

Known to take the race steadily in the first 50 metres and come home strong in the second 50, Chalmers said he would look to employ a new approach this year and also compete in more 50m races after swimming a 21.7 in Norway.

“Here I think my 50m will complement my 100 and make it that little bit faster.

“I know it’s something I’ve lacked through my swimming career, I’ve always turned at seventh or eighth but it’d be nice to make the turn at second, third or fourth so I don’t need to do extra chasing.

“I’m pretty confident I’m swimming fast right now.”

Chalmers has also experienced some changes outside of the pool.

He is now engaged to partner Ingeborg Loyning and the two are expecting a baby daughter “in 10 weeks’ time.”

Kyle Chalmers and Ingie Loyning are expecting their first baby. Picture: Instagram

The star swimmer said the developments out of the pool had helped his approach in it.

“I think it’s contributing to why I’m so happy, getting married at the end of the year is super exciting and having a baby is also super exciting.

“There is a lot going on outside of the pool and that is helping me stay really happy inside the pool.

“I’m really motivated right now, I think I could be content with my swimming career but I’ve set myself some goals that I still haven’t been able to achieve and I want to hold myself accountable to those goals.

“I still love it.”

The 2025 Australian Swimming Trials will begin on Monday at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre and will be a selection meet for the Australian world championship team.

Originally published as Australian star Kyle Chalmers opens up on coach split, new training strategy ahead of swim trials