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| Irie is more comfortable underwater than in front of a microphone [AFP] |
Japan's teenage swimming sensation Ryosuke Irie has been told to get mouthy if he wants to up his game.
Multiple Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima has advised the youngster to follow his lead and be more cocky.
Kitajima, dubbed "Big Mouth" in Japan for his brash remarks before, during and after the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, insisted it would help Irie, Japanese media reported on Tuesday.
"Talking is free," said Kitajima, who repeated his 100m 200m breaststroke double from Athens at last year's Beijing Olympics.
"There's no pressure. You might as well just come out and talk it up.
"I said I'd win gold in Beijing and I did. It helps keep your motivation high and you get people's support."
Suspect Speedos
Irie broke the men's 200m backstroke world record in Canberra last month but swimming's governing body Fina have yet to ratify the mark because of questions over his swimsuit.
The 19-year-old burst into tears after failing to break the record again at last week's Japan Open in Tokyo.
"I'm more a quiet man of action," Irie said ahead of Japan's participation at the Rome world championships in July and August.
"I don't want to talk."
Kitajima has yet to make a decision on his future but will not compete at the world championships.
The double world record holder will instead be a guest presenter for Japanese TV.
"If a Japanese swimmer breaks my records and gives me the motivation to return I'll be happy," said the 26-year-old.
"It would be nice to see a Japanese swimmer break them."
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