SINDELFINGEN (Germany), July 23: Australia’s Ian Thorpe has increased his weight by almost five kilograms in a bid to win a record seven swimming golds at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

The 19-year-old told reporters at the team’s training camp that he was now tipping the scales at a whopping 105 kg after months of heavy weight training.

Thorpe said he normally cut back on the weights in the final weeks leading into a major competition.

But he had decided to keep going this time in the hope the extra beef would give him more power for his sprint events without taking away any of the endurance he needs for longer races. The Games open on Thursday. “This preparation I haven’t cut back like I have before. I’ve let that bulk actually sit because it was becoming too difficult not to let it happen,” Thorpe said.—Reuters