It's been a momentous week for Springwood swimmer Matt Wilson.
For 24 hours, he equalled the 200m breaststroke world record of 2:06:67 in semi-finals at the FINA World Swimming Championships in South Korea, before Russian Anton Chupkov set a new world record of 2:06:12 in the final on July 26.
Wilson was a mere 100th of a second off his world record to secure silver in the final, and former world record holder, Japan's Ippei Watanabe, took the bronze medal in 2:06:73.
"My goal was to aim for a sub 2:07 swim and I'm over the moon that I achieved that and equalled the world record. And then to back it up the following night with virtually the same time was fantastic. That silver medal is something very special to me," the 20-year-old former Winmalee High student told the Gazette.
A change in technique helped give Wilson the edge.
"I have been working on some slight technique changes in my breaststroke and this has again paid off for me. I had a great preparation coming into the meet and I think for me, the five week turnaround between trials and worlds is good," Wilson said.
His semi-final swim set a new Australian, Oceania and Commonwealth record, clocked after being part of Australia's 4x100m mixed medley gold medal win 24 hours earlier.
"My 58.3 breaststroke split was the fastest I'd ever swum," Wilson said. "That feeling of standing up on the top step of the dais with my teammates and with the national anthem playing is something I do not take lightly and I will never forget."
It's been a week that dreams are made of.
"When I was a little kid, about 7, I hid a list of my dreams inside my pillow case and this week I got to tick off a few more and for this opportunity, I am extremely grateful," Wilson said.