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PORT’S MAGNUSSEN DEDICATES WORLD TITLE TO SUPPORTERS

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Port Macquarie’s James Magnussen has dedicated his second straight 100m freestyle world title to those who have stood by him in what he says has been the toughest year of his life.

A year after the disappointmen of the London Olympics and the Stillnox scandal, Magnussen clocked 47.74 seconds to win in Barcelona.

Magnussen powered home to beat Americans James Feigen (47.82) and Nathan Adrian (47.84), who beat him at the Olympics, by just one one-hundredth of a second.

The 22-year-old says the last 12 months “sort of kicked me down to the kerb” and that he had come back stronger and more mature.

“I think it’s a great reward for all my friends and family and my support team who have stuck by me through what’s been a pretty terrible 12 months.” Magnussen said.

Locals in Magnussen’s home of Port Macquaire were also celebrating the win.

Michael Mullens was his former swim coach and says he had no doubt Magnussen would be a champion again.

“It’s a proud moment. It just goes on about our program what we do here and the champions we do put out of this pool.”

“He was always going to comeback again. At the Olympics he only got beaten by 1/100th of a second and everyone saw it as a failure, but it was still a silver medal at the Olympic Games and now he’s back being the world champion again.”

His former Principal at St Agnus Primary School says he is setting a good example for young kids.

“We just find it’s inspirational for the kids to know somebody who grew up in their town and went to their primary school has gone on to be the best in the world.”

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