ALLOA swimmer Duncan Scott has jetted off to Japan as part of a 29-strong team for the World Aquatics Championships.

Duncan flew out to the holding camp last Wednesday, July 11, ahead of the competition in Fukuoka between July 14 and 30.

He is one of eight University of Stirling performance swimmers, representing four countries, to attend, along with coach Steve Tigg.

Duncan, 26, said ahead of his travels: “The world championships mean a lot to me.

“It’s one of the biggest events in our sport and I’ve plenty of good memories in Japan; I’m really looking forward to heading out there.

“I’m kicking off with relays and I’m part of some amazing relay teams with the 4x200m freestyle winning in Tokyo [2020 Olympics] and we’ve had some good world championships successes in that relay too.

“I guess, we are there to win.

“And then we have the 4x100m freestyle; I wouldn’t say that we’ve properly tested that at a world level yet, but we have got a great team.

“For my individual event, the 200m individual medley, it is going to be a real fight because there’s plenty of talent in there: world championship medallists from last year, Olympic medallists as well.

“If I can better my time that I did in April, then that will give me a great chance.”

Other Stirling swimmers joining the Olympic and Commonwealth Games star, who grew up in Alloa, include Katie Shanahan, Lucy Hope, Keanna MacInnes and Jack McMillan.

The university's Salvador Gordo will swim for Angola, Swaleh Talib will compete for Kenya while Paige Van Der Westhuizen will be waving the flag for Zimbabwe.

Steven Tigg, head performance coach at the university, said: “It’s always a real honour to be called up to coach internationally.

“I am fortunate that this is my fourth world championships; that’s where you want to ply your trade – against the world’s best athletes and their coaches.”

There will be a total of 75 medal events across six disciplines at the World Aquatics Championships.

Swimming events will run from Sunday, July 23, including the 4x100m freestyle relay which Duncan will be a part of.

The 200m individual medley is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 27.