A pumped-up Michael Klim returned from the sprinting wilderness on Wednesday night to pick up his first individual berth at a major meet in four years.

The injury-riddled swimmer won the 100m freestyle in a time of 49.02 seconds to gain a spot on the Australian team for July's world championships in Montreal.

The former world record holder in the blue-riband event has battled ankle, shoulder and back injuries since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist took full advantage of Ian Thorpe's absence by overpowering the field.

He admitted he had doubted whether he could return to his best following his string of setbacks.

"The (Athens) Olympics was an encouraging step forward, but before that I was getting knocked down all the time," he said.

"I want to go to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne so there is plenty of things for me to look forward to."

The Victorian speedster showed he had lost none of his charisma by thanking Thorpe for not competing and joking about his own double-fisted pump celebration.

"I was just pumped you know, and I have been working out so when you get an opportunity," he said glancing at his biceps.

Klim has cut down on his training to take better care of his shoulders and Wednesday night's performance backed up his new program.

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