Anderson, 28, has previously competed in the Beijing and London Games, winning gold, silver and bronze medals in various events. But his swim earlier this month saw him take out first in the Australian Championships 100m backstroke final, just short of his career best.

Anderson has lived on the coast since 2011 and trained under the Paralympic program at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Despite his previous achievements, including being awarded an Order of Australia Medal for achievements in Australian swimming, his focus now is on winning the 100m backstroke gold, something which has so far eluded him.

“I’ve taken it out at other major international events,” Anderson said.

“That’s the target; I’m going in ranked third … I’m not doing as many training sessions due to work commitments (with Queensland Swimming) so I am thrilled with the times.”

Things did not go all Anderson’s way though. 

A piece of equipment that the backstroker puts his feet on to dive, broke in the 50m event.

He later did the race – on his own – after he had “cooled down”, and still took home a bronze.

However, he was “disappointed as my times were close to the World Record and I may have broken it”.

Whatever, the hiccups on the day, Anderson’s parents are understandably very proud and so too is Swimming Australia’s Paralympic Performance Program head coach Jan Cameron, who works from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

“That’s what we have been working towards … he did a good job,” she said in a statement.

And in a nod to Ms Cameron’s skill, seven of her squad are in the Australian team.

Moving forward, though Anderson has made the team, he said “the end goal is that individual gold medal” and given Rio Olympics is most likely his last, “I’ll give this everything”.

Although swimming had “opened a phenomenal amount of doors” and provided him the opportunity to travel and meet people from around the globe, Anderson said “it’s obviously not the best thing financially, but I’ll never look back on it with regret that’s for sure.

“And Swimming Australia and Wheelchair Sports have helped fund me … plus Queensland Swimming have been wonderful employers – flexible to my swimming commitments.”