Launceston’s under-23 world champion is up against 25-year-old Queenslander Ryan Fisher for Australia’s third spot at this year’s Games.

If Birtwhistle is successful he would complete a clean sweep from Jamie Turner’s Woolongong Wizards, joining 26-year-olds Aaron Royle, of NSW, who booked the first spot with a sixth-place finish in the Rio test event last August, and South African-born West Australian Ryan Bailie, who qualified with a fourth-place finish at last month’s World Triathlon Series race on the Gold Coast.

Fisher was just one place and 14 seconds behind Bailie in Queensland, with Birtwhislte ninth, but the rivals are difficult to split with one race remaining before the qualification period concludes on May 15 and the Australian team is announced five days later.

“We are pretty even,” said Birtwhistle, 21.

“He had a really good race on the Gold Coast but other than that there is nothing results-wise that puts him above me.

“There are no more selection races, it is just down to selectors’ discretion and you never know how they will pick it. I just have to really focus on this last race and hopefully get a result that stands out.”

That race is next Saturday in Yokohama, Japan, where the former Riverside student finished ninth last year in just his second WTS event.

“I have good memories of this race and am feeling pretty positive. I’m confident I’ve done everything I can.

“I’m trying not to worry about the Olympic selection, I’m just going to Yokohama and not change too much, just race and give my best performance.

“It’s a pretty important race for everyone and we’ll know a few days afterwards what the verdict is.”

A youth olympic triathlon gold medallist in 2013, Birtwhislte claimed his world title in Chicago last September, a year after finishing second at the junior worlds.

At Triathlon Australia’s annual awards last month, he was presented with the emerging talent award.