SHE might have found out about her World Championship inclusion thanks to social media, but Newcastle swimmer Jessica Thielmann insists she will be the one dishing out the surprises next month.

Now based at the University of Florida, Thielmann made the long journey back home to compete in April’s British Swimming Championships.

But despite finishing runner-up in both the 400m and 800m freestyle – as well as touching home fifth in the 200m – the former City of Newcastle swimmer thought it had been a wasted journey after she failed to dip under the necessary World Championship qualification times.

However, all was not lost and Thielmann was awarded one of five places handed out at the discretion of the British head coach and national performance director.

And after finding out the good news on Twitter, Thielmann admits she is raring to go when the World Swimming Championships kick off in the Russian city of Kazan on August 2.

“I was really happy when I found out that I had made the World Championship team and I am very excited to get going,” she said.

“I actually found out through social media which was crazy. I wasn’t sure I had made the team, but then I found out so it was scary and exciting at the same time.

“I woke up and because of the time difference between America and England I had message from people congratulating me, so that was crazy.

“The trials hadn’t been the best for me. I was pretty happy with how I did but I didn’t record the times that I wanted to or needed to.

“I had been swimming well in America, but for whatever reason it didn’t transfer over, but I am happy to be going to Russia and feeling good.

“Training has been going well and I want to go out there, swim as fast as I can and hopefully make a few finals.”

It is no surprise that Thielmann is keen to put a marker down in Russia with next year’s Rio Olympics looming large on the horizon – even if she will do her best to block that out.

“Rio is in the back of my mind but I need to try and block that out because I have plenty to do first,” she said.

“I have to focus on my job first and show what I can do and then build on that in preparation for Rio.”

* Jessica Thielmann is one of 1,300 athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery supported World Class Programme. Find out more at www.uksport.gov.uk.