According to David Marsh, head coach of SwimMAC (a USA Swimming Center of Excellence), Thoman's backstroke is perfect. "It's the way everyone will swim backstroke in future," he said, during a GOLD MEDAL MINUTE interview on SwimNetwork.
Thoman's stroke is clearly strong and efficient, but it's tough to tell if it's perfect when he's swimming in the shadow of Ryan Lochte and Aaron Peirsol.
Thoman's world record on the 400 medley relay leadoff at the 2009 Duel in the Pool is wide-open. He swims alone and in clear view. Check out his stroke and explain the perfection to me. I'm always amazed at the details I miss and what other swimmers and coaches can see.
A new star's rise is always interesting to track. It's a slow burning confidence that surfaces in tiny moments. Thoman's taken some tough losses, and he keeps on keeping on. Watch his interview below, captured right before his performance at Duel in the Pool, and tell me if you see evidence of his winning attitude.
Gold Medal Media, LLC
Found some underwater footage of Nick on YouTube today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afpN9fOGu9s The video is mostly about his kick but shows a little bit of his stroke too. It does seem to be shallower than that of say Peirsol or Grevers. I think Marsh is right on the mark about Peirsol peaking over the next 4-5 yrs. Clearly 2009 was his best year yet with the WRs! And this year is shaping up to be incredibly exciting in backstroke since the field is so deep. Looking forward to it!
Posted by: Melissa German | January 27, 2010 at 07:04 PM
You're right, it is tough to judge w/out underwater footage... And Peirsol is still the top back-man. According to Marsh, Peirsol should be hitting his peak years now, 27-32 years old... I think Nick's been knocked back a few times and only to come back stronger. This leads me to believe he will be very dangerous this summer.... Backstroke has so many great swimmers now, it's a crap-shoot trying to predict who will come out on top... Lochte's so talented, there's no telling what he will do!
Posted by: gmm | January 26, 2010 at 09:32 AM
Love Nick - he's super chill and a whole lotta awesome!! My heart will always belong to the King of Backstroke, Aaron Peirsol, but I realize that he'll retire sometime this decade so am anxious to see who will pick up the torch after him. I watched the video of David discussing Nick's stroke and am bummed that I haven't been able to find any underwater footage of it. Hard to fully evaluate Nick's stroke when you only see what goes on above the water.
Posted by: Melissa German | January 25, 2010 at 04:41 PM