Georgia Davies is heading into this week’s Doha short course World Championships in buoyant mood after seeing some major decisions pay off for her handsomely over the past 12 months.

Having been left deflated by her performance at the 2013 long course championships in Barcelona, where she failed to make the semi-finals of the 100 metres backstroke, Davies chose in September that year to switch her training base and coach from Swansea and Bud McAllister to Loughborough and James Gibson.

The 24-year-old admits the move away from her hometown, which meant she had to put a law degree on hold, was both “hectic” and “daunting” — but it is certainly one she is glad she made.

Davies has since flourished under the guidance of sprint specialist Gibson, claiming 50m gold and 100m silver for Wales in the backstroke at this summer’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games, followed by three more medals for Great Britain at the Berlin European Championships.

Then in October, it was announced she had been included in the elite bracket for UK Sport funding as part of the GB performance squad for the new season, a list she had not made last time out.

The campaign has already begun well, with her medalling on the World Cup circuit ahead of this week’s Qatar event, which starts tomorrow and ends on Sunday.

And Davies said: “I couldn’t have really asked for better results after making the move.

“Sometimes it can take a little while to adapt to a different programme, and I didn’t know if I would have a great year.

“But I put all my faith in James and I have just enjoyed training so much, which I think has been a huge factor in getting the results — just because I was so happy.

“I think I have carried that through into the start of this season and I’m really excited about Doha.”

Davies hopes her newfound momentum can take her on to first medals at world long course and Olympic level.