Australian swimmers made waves at the national championships with world record holder Mollie O’Callaghan stealing the show in the 200m freestyle event, outshining Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus. O’Callaghan clocked an impressive 1:53.57, leaving Titmus trailing behind at 1:55.38. The 20-year-old expressed her determination to excel, aiming for multiple gold medals at the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
Meanwhile, Kaylee McKeown showcased her prowess in the 200m backstroke, narrowly missing her own world record by seven-tenths of a second with a time of 2:03.84. The backstroke star also dominated the 50m backstroke event, opting to skip the 100m to focus on the 200m and 400m medley races.
On the men’s side, Kyle Chalmers blazed through the 100m freestyle, finishing in a lightning-fast 47.63, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown at the Olympics. Chalmers expressed his joy at breaking the 48-second barrier and his love for the sport of swimming.
In other races, Japan’s Daiya Seto triumphed in the 400m medley, while Australia’s Emma McKeon clinched victory in the women’s 100m butterfly. The championships showcased the incredible talent and fierce competition among swimmers as they gear up for the Olympic trials in Brisbane in June.
With the likes of O’Callaghan, McKeown, Chalmers, and McKeon in top form, Australian swimming is poised for success on the international stage, setting the stage for an exciting Olympic campaign.