Australian Olympic swimmer Zac Incerti holds Broome Barracudas close to heart

Newly announced Australian Olympic swimmer Zac Incerti says a strong work ethic, developed during his time under the wing of Broome coach Toni Smith as a junior swimmer, held him in good stead during a rollercoaster ride to qualify for the Tokyo Games last week. Incerti swam his way into the decorated men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team last Tuesday — having already made the cut for the 4x200m event — to book a flight to his first Olympics next month in Tokyo. Speaking to the Broome Advertiser after qualifying, Incerti said Smith, a long-serving coach with the Broome Barracudas, was instrumental in his rise through Australian swimming’s ranks. “The work she did with me when I was 10, 11, 12 sticks with me now,” he said. “The work ethic I got from that squad, I think Toni has always believed in me and the ability I have in the pool.” Incerti said a trip back home in November revealed to his fellow swimmers how strong the Broome club he grew up with had become. “We did a training camp up there and the whole team from my Perth squad had the best time ever, they said the energy was amazing,” he said. “We had a really nice time with all those kids. “The new president is doing wonders with our squad now so I am really happy with where it is at, and Broome should be really proud of what they have done.” Speaking from the Broome aquatic centre while coaching the young Barracudas, Smith said the club was proud to see Incerti make the Olympic team. “I am very privileged to have had that opportunity to watch him grow,” she said. “Zac is definitely a stand-out swimmer — from here he went straight to WAIS and was very lucky to be spotted by Mick Palfrey, who took him on even though he had nowhere to stay. “He has always been a character, he has always had a lot to say to everyone, he always has good jokes, and he still has good friends here.” Incerti qualified fourth in the marquee 100m freestyle event behind champions Kyle Chalmers and Cam McEvoy, and Victoria’s Matthew Temple, to book a himself a second Olympic relay swim. “Coming fourth in the 100m freestyle was huge for me — looking up and getting those chills that I was definitely in the team,” he said. “I am just trying to soak it up and I know when the time comes I will be ready and the whole team will be ready. “We know we have a red-hot chance to win medals.” Two days earlier Incerti looked a shoo-in for the world-champion 4x200m relay team only to find out he had been disqualified for moving on the blocks before the starting signal. “I cant really put it into the words the feeling I got when I was DQ’ed,” he said. “I broke down ... into tears walking out of the pool that morning, it was not a great feeling at all.” After a morning of soul-searching lady luck was on his side when he got a call from Palfrey to say his appeal had been successful. “When I got the text from my coach saying I had been reinstated I went into my room, turned all the lights off and just laid down in my bed and tried to refocus,” Incerti said. That night he went on to qualify fifth in the 200m freestyle final, earning him a spot on the plane to Tokyo. The men’s 100m freestyle relay final will be hosted in the 9.30am to 11.40am slot on July 26, with the 200m freestyle relay to be hosted the next day from 9.30am.