Hackett withdrawal saddens Davies

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The withdrawal of Olympic and world 1500m freestyle champion Grant Hackett from the Commonwealth Games has left Wales’ David Davies favourite for gold.

But the 20-year-old Welshman insists he is unhappy at the shoulder injury suffered by his great rival.

“I’m disappointed because at a major meet you want your biggest rivals there to help make sure you put in your very best performance,” said Davies.

“It’s a real blow to lose someone of such high calibre as Grant.”

Barry swimmer Davies, currently training in Lanzarote with the Welsh squad, has been beaten into third place at the last Olympics and World Championship by Hackett and American Larsen Jensen.

That trio have been a street ahead of their rivals in the event, with Hackett the peerless king having gone eight years unbeaten.

As Hackett is now out of the Melbourne games - and Jensen ineligible thanks to a certain Boston beverage party back in 1773 - many will see Davies as a shoe-in for the gold medal.

But the City of Cardiff man has refused to get carried away with the hype.

“There are still a lot of great swimmers around and it’s going to be a tough job to go to Melbourne and swim well,” said Davies

“Personally I’m gutted for Grant. We get on well and it will be a real shame that he won’t be there.”