McIntosh's opening-night showdown begins Canada's swim program at World Aquatics Championships

Under a brilliant blue sky, with temperatures soaring into the upper 30s Celsius, Canadian swimmers continued their preparations for the World Aquatics Championships at the Chukyo University outdoor swimming complex in Toyota, Japan.

Brent Arckey was walking briskly back and forth under a tented off area near the edge of the pool, waving his arm in the peripheral vision of Canada teen star Summer McIntosh as she powered her way through an arduous two-hour training session. Arckey coaches McIntosh in Florida and is accompanying Team Canada to these worlds.

The intensity of these last practices before the big show has hit a whole new level. There is a sense of urgency to be sure as the 28-person Canadian team begins competition July 23. Last year's championships in Budapest saw Canadian swimmers win 11 medals, the country's most ever, and break five Canadian records.

"Now it's about landing the plane," Arckey told CBC Sports. "All the work has been done and now it's time to deliver."

It's a fitting metaphor from McIntosh's coach. The 16-year-old Canadian swimming sensation has been on a transcendent orbit this past year and is now considered one of the stars of the sport. Many call her a generational talent. 

There are lofty expectations for McIntosh in Japan, especially because she's coming off two world records and five world junior records just a few months ago during the national trials in Toronto. 

McIntosh will swim in four individual events, including an opening-night showdown in the most anticipated race of the year. The Canadian is pitted against American great Katie Ledecky and Australian powerhouse Ariarne Titmus in the 400m freestyle. 

The Toronto teen still has a hard time wrapping her head around being