With Australian breaststroke legend ‘Lethal’ Leisel Jones announcing her retirement in November the Australians will be looking to 20 year old Leiston Pickett as their new breaststroke hope.
At the 2012 Australian Olympic Trials Pickett ended Jones incredible 12 year streak of dominating the 100 breaststroke national title.
That actually wasn’t the first time she had beaten Jones, at 2010 Commonwealth Games Pickett won the 50 breaststroke with Jones finishing second.
“But I’ve got to beat her best time to say I’ve really beaten the best.”
After winning the 100 breaststroke at the trials in a time of 1:06.88 Pickett had a very disappointing Olympic performance, finishing 13th.
After the games Pickett underwent surgery on hip to repair a torn labrum. Now that she is back in the water she is excited to show her country that she is ready to be the top dog, “I can’t wait. I’ve been wanting it for so long, it’s what I’ve trained for,” Pickett told The Gold Coast.
“I’m pretty excited to get a really good block of training in, post some fast times before trials and get up there and try and prove and show to Australia that I am the best in the country.”
Pickett will make her return to major competition at the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series in Perth beginning on January 18th.