Swimming: Stanley set to knife through water at worlds

Matt Stanley broke the great Danyon Loader's 200m freestyle national record in 2013.

Freestyler Matt Stanley is fit, in strong form and ready to make an impact when the world swimming championships start late tonight.

The Matamata swimmer, at 24, is the senior figure in the New Zealand squad of 10 and about to compete in his fourth world champs.

He has stepped away from the 400m to focus on shorter distances, in this instance the 200m, and the 4x100m freestyle relay, which is on the same day as the 400m.

"I wanted to have full focus on that on the day," the two-time Olympian said from Budapest.

"The 400m does take it out of me. My focus is on shorter events now and the 200m is really the main target and where I have the best chance of climbing the rankings."

Stanley, who has switched to the Bond University club on the Gold Coast, has at times flattered to deceive when he's got on the big international stages.

This is a swimmer who broke the great Danyon Loader's 200m freestyle national record in 2013 and lowered it again to its current mark of 1m 47.09s the following year.

He was 20th in the 200m at the Rio Olympics last year, having been hampered with an ankle injury in preparation.

Now he's sharp, fit and focused to produce in Budapest. His approach has been to stay healthy and fit and avoid risking injury, such as taking a bit more care when he's out surfing.

"For the first time in maybe three years, I'm coming into a meet without any injuries or illness, which is really exciting."

Stanley knows he's been through plenty in the sport, at times hasn't delivered what he's been capable of, but he's evidently been training impressively and insists he's a better athlete for his experiences.

"I've got to take that belief into the racing pool. The last couple of seasons, I haven't been at my best and can perform a lot better now I'm fit and healthy."

Stanley is in the pool on day one in the relay, along with Corey Main, Daniel Hunter and Sam Perry, and again 24 hours later in the 200m freestyle.

Also in action on the first day are Rio Olympians Emma Robinson in the 400m freestyle and Helena Gasson in the 200m individual medley.