Rising star Isaac Cooper confessed he wanted to walk away from the world short course championships in Melbourne after the devastation of losing a gold medal due to a technical error.
The Queensland teen was back on deck on Saturday, 24 hours after he was robbed of his first world title in the 50m backstroke final.
He led the Australia's men's 4x50m medley relay out in the backstroke leg clocking 22.66, with freestyle ace Kyle Chalmers helping them to bronze behind world record-setting Italy.
In Friday night's final Cooper looked to have secured his first world title, touching first but less than half the field completed the race after an alarm sounded.
An hour later the race was re-run with American Ryan Murphy relegating Cooper to silver.
Murphy's winning time was 22.64, slower than Cooper's initial time of 22.49 seconds which was a junior world record and a personal best.
Cooper said he was still upset by the result but realised the setback could have an upside.
"Last night I was in an absolute state and I didn't want to finish the meet - I was devastated with what happened," Cooper said after his relay swim.
"It was beyond my control but I woke up this morning and I mean I was still a bit upset but I thought the job is not done, I have to to be here to represent my team, my country, my family, my friends.
"I've been in an incredible mindset today and I'm kind of grateful about what happened last night because while it was devastating I have learnt so much from it and I think just in 24 hours I've just become a better version of myself."
Cooper said he couldn't turn his back on his best mates, including Chalmers, who had been such a support through his short yet turbulent career.
The 18-year-old was banished from the Commonwealth Games team for misusing prescription medication with mental health challenges contributing to the decision to send him home.
"I have to race beside my best friends who have been supporting me through thick and thin," he said.
"I've always seen it as an individual sport and I reckon only within the last week have I realised that while we swim individually I wouldn't be able to do any of this without my family, who are my team, with the Dolphins, who are my team."
The bronze was his fourth medal of the championship, also winning another bronze, silver and relay gold.
