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Sport
Melissa Woods

In-form Dolphins swim team to chase world title medals

Kaylee McKeown is a spearhead in a powerful 38-strong Australian team for the world championships. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Spearheaded by world record holders Kaylee McKeown and Zac Stubblety-Cook, Australia's team for next month's world swimming championships in Japan contains plenty of gold medal chances.

A 38-strong squad was named on Sunday night at the end of the six-day trials in Melbourne, with only one rookie among the pool swimmers in Kai Taylor, the son of retired great Hayley Lewis.

Taylor captured the spotlight with his win from lane eight in the men's 200m freestyle, watched by his emotional mum in the stands, to earn a place in the team for the championships which get under way on July 14.

Tokyo gold medallists including Ariarne Titmus, Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon and sprint star Kyle Chalmers are all expected to shine in Fukuoka.

But former Olympic 400 metre freestyle champion Mack Horton failed to make the cut, casting doubt over his swimming future, while ex-pop star Cody Simpson also missed selection.

Mollie O'Callaghan will look to defend her title in the 100 metres while she took top spot at the trials in the 200m freestyle final and finished second in the 100m backstroke.

While he was beaten by Sam Short at the trials, Elijah Winnington will aim for successive men's 400m freestyle world titles as will Stubblety-Cook in the 200m breaststroke.

Triple Olympic gold medallist McKeown will defend her 200m backstroke crown after narrowly missed breaking her own world record at the trials.

She has also qualified for the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley events at the worlds.

Lani Pallister, the daughter of another swim great Janelle Elford, will line up in the 400m, 800m and 1500m which she won on the final night.

Titmus also punched her ticket into three individual events in Japan after winning the 400m and 800m freestyle finals and finishing second in the 200m free behind O'Callaghan.

Australian head coach Rohan Taylor expected "conversions" after naming the highly-rated squad.

"I'm excited about this team, we've got a great mix of experienced campaigners and some young blood coming through," Taylor said.

"These world championships are such an important stepping stone in what is a big 12 months before Paris Olympics.

"We have an amazing team, they're hard-working, authentic and it's always about improvement.

"Our goal is always to have as many high-ranked athletes going into meets and when we do that, we get conversions."

Included in Dolphins team are six open water members competing from 15-20 July - Moesha Johnson (also in the 1500m pool event), Chelsea Gubecka, Finella Gibbs-Beal, Nicholas Sloman, Bailey Armstrong and Kyle Lee, with Bianca Crisp and Jack Wilson making their debut.

AUSTRALIAN SWIM TEAM FOR 2023 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Bailey Armstrong, Jack Cartwright, Kyle Chalmers, Shaun Champion, Abbey Connor, Isaac Cooper, Bianca Crisp, Lizzy Dekkers, Jenna Forrester, Maddy Gough, Alex Graham, Chelsea Gubecka, Abbey Harkin, Meg Harris, Shayna Jack, Moesha Johnson, Kyle Lee, Cameron McEvoy, Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown, Kiah Melverton, Tommy Neill, Mollie O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Sam Short, Nick Sloman, Brendon, Smith, Flynn Southam, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Kai Taylor, Matt, Temple, Brianna Throssell, Ariarne Titmus, Sam Williamson, Madi Wilson, Jack Wilson, Elijah Winnington, Brad Woodward.

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