Hansen won the 100-meter breaststroke at the U.S. nationals on Tuesday night, adding a title to a comeback summer that he hopes carries him back to the Olympics next year.

"My swim tonight made me realize I'm glad I came back last December and had not decided to start in September," Hansen said. "There are a lot of people making comebacks, but I feel like I'm actually the one coming back."

The former world-record holder won the U.S. title with a time of 1:00.08 that was eighth fastest in the world this year. Hansen beat out Kevin Swander and Marcus Titus to win the championship he last held in 2008.

Hansen retired at age 26 with four Olympic medals after finishing fourth in his best event, the 100 breaststroke, losing his world record and a chance at a medal.

He spent two years doing triathlons and other things he couldn't do while competing as a world-class swimmer. But earlier this year he decided to make a comeback and try to make it to the 2012 Olympics in London where he hopes to win his first individual Olympic gold medal.

"I have no doubt my best races are in front of me," he said.

"I have no doubt. "This sport is 90 percent neck up and that is clear for me right now. I have to respect the next 10 months and make sure I race as much as I possibly can so I'm more prepared than everyone else. The reason I never won an individual gold at those Olympics is my mental aspect at those Olympics, nothing physical."