It's the race Australia's swimmers never lose. Now the USA can smell blood
Mollie O'Callaghan took out the women's 100m freestyle final at the Australian swimming trials on Friday night in a solid time of 52.87 seconds, the fifth-fastest in the world this year.
But analyse the results of the race a little deeper and it's clear that Australian swimming's most bankable gold medal is suddenly in danger of being stolen at next month's world championships in Singapore.
Australia's women's 4x100m freestyle relay team has been nothing short of extraordinary in recent years. Their dominance has been unrivalled.
Australia have held the world record since 2014 and won Olympic gold in London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024.
Superstars of the pool have graced Australia's 4x100m relay team. The likes of Cate Campbell, Bronte Campbell, Emma McKeon, Madi Wilson, Meg Harris and Shayna Jack have been mainstays as Australia clinched gold medal after gold medal, leaving the Americans in their wake.
The USA are desperate for revenge and they could very well get it on the night of July 27 at the Singapore Sports Hub.
The retirements of the Campbell sisters and McKeon have left a big hole in the 4x100m freestyle team, which hasn't lost an international final since the 2017 world championships.
Australia's top swimmers generally have a lighter year after the Olympics and Shayna Jack, a member of Australia's victorious 4x100m freestyle team in Paris, is a case in point.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
'Take him to school': American's threat to Kambosos Jr
Tired of the trash talk, Richardson Hitchins is promising to send George Kambosos Jr back to Australia with tail between his legs. Kambosos (22-3, 10KOs) will bid to join the great Jeff Fenech as a multi-division world champion when he takes on Hitchins (19-0, 7KOs) for the American's IBF super-lightweight belt at New York's Madison Square Garden Theatre on Sunday (AEST). Sydney's former unified lightweight champ is up in class and Hitchins suspects probably out of his league too despite Kambosos spruiking about maintaining his perfect record in the US. Be it by knockout or through sheer boxing smarts, Hitchins doesn't care how he wins, just as long as he puts Kambosos in his place after an explosive build-up spiced with threats, bets and a cancelled face-off after the two combatants almost came to blows on Friday. "I know I've been promising everybody a knockout, but, to be honest, bro, the way George has been talking trash, like I really don't got skills, I really feel like I'm gonna just, like, beat him up," Hitchins told AAP. "Or it just depends how George comes. "If he wants to be like the common fighter who would think that I don't have that much skills, like be aggressive and come at me and think that's what he has to do, if he does that, he's gonna get stopped. "But if he tries to make me think and shit like that, then I don't know. I might just have to just take him to school. "If he really wants to come out and take a fast-ass whooping, he's gonna get stopped. "If he wanna be strategic, then I'm not gonna be dumb. I'm not gonna be the first to make mistakes, so then it's gonna be a lesson." For all his bravado, Hitchins - who took down Australian Liam Paro last December to claim the strap, insists he respects the challenger. He saw enough in Kambosos's shock victory over Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden in late 2021 to know the 32-year-old Sydney slugger can be dangerous. "I know he's got fast hands," the New Yorker said. "He's a little twitchy. He's aware in the ring. He do have boxing abilities. I can see how he made a living in the sport. "He's not a dumb fighter. He knows when to hold. He has deceptive timing. "There's things in the boxing ring, qualities ... I can see why he's at where he at in boxing. I can see why he didn't stop in the amateurs and he kept pursuing boxing." But just not as good as him, says Hitchins, who added he could "see the comparisons" between himself and Devin Haney, the two-divisional pound-for-pound king who stripped Kambosos of his IBF, WBC and WBO belts with two wins over the Australian in Melbourne in 2022. "Definitely the stylistic comparisons but, if you get really in depth with it, I feel like I display that style ... better," Hitchins warned. "I think my style is better. "Yeah, he probably got Lopez, but we'll see."
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Hurt locker' Hollioake hunts debut Cairns Ironman win
After announcing herself as a new star of Ironman triathlon, Australian Regan Hollioake is now acutely aware of what can happen when race day goes wrong. The 35-year-old from Ballarat is one of the leading favourites for Sunday's Ironman Cairns, which she is racing for the first time. Hollioake will also make her debut in October at the Hawaiian Ironman world championships - triathlon's most famous race - and has come to Cairns fresh from a three-week training camp at the Kona race site. Since turning professional last year, Hollioake has won Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie as well as the New Zealand and Malaysia Ironman races over the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run format. Then, in late April, she raced Ironman Texas and, as Hollioake explains it, "I got a little wrapped up in the race". Hollioake made the fatal mistake of not paying attention to her race nutrition and hydration, crucial for the eight-plus hours of an Ironman. She does not remember starting the run. Her kidneys shut down and the Australian passed out 13km into the marathon. "I woke up in the medical tent," Hollioake told AAP. "Some really hard and tough lessons learned, but some really valuable lessons ... I paid the price. "The lessons you learn in Ironman are big ones - there are no easy lessons." But Hollioake recovered quickly and medical tests showed no lasting ill effects. "It was a bit confronting ... I got away with that one," she said. Now to Cairns, which is part of the Ironman Pro Series and boasting a top international field. It will be a crucial stepping stone for Hollioake ahead of Kona. The training camp was her first visit to the Big Island and she immediately understood why the Hawaiian Ironman is such a big deal. "I can see why it's really hard to get right, that race. It's such an extreme climate and the course is brutal," she said. "But I really enjoyed it. I quite like getting in the hurt locker and just staying there." Hollioake also is determined to return to top form with a big result in Cairns. "I'm really, really excited for this race. I've never been in better condition in terms of physically, but also emotionally ... I'm really confident in the fact that I've done everything I can," she said. "You definitely need to have your head in the game for the race at hand. But in the back of your mind, there's always Kona being the big goal," she said. "We're all business for Cairns on Sunday. "I don't know what I'm capable of, but I keep surprising myself." New Zealander Hannah Berry will defend her title and Australian Kylie Simpson is a two-time Cairns champion, while Queensland-based Dutch star Lotte Wilms and American Jackie Hering are other prominent names. The men's race will feature three-time winner Braden Currie from New Zealand, rising Australian star Nick Thompson and American long-distance gun Matthew Marquardt. After announcing herself as a new star of Ironman triathlon, Australian Regan Hollioake is now acutely aware of what can happen when race day goes wrong. The 35-year-old from Ballarat is one of the leading favourites for Sunday's Ironman Cairns, which she is racing for the first time. Hollioake will also make her debut in October at the Hawaiian Ironman world championships - triathlon's most famous race - and has come to Cairns fresh from a three-week training camp at the Kona race site. Since turning professional last year, Hollioake has won Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie as well as the New Zealand and Malaysia Ironman races over the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run format. Then, in late April, she raced Ironman Texas and, as Hollioake explains it, "I got a little wrapped up in the race". Hollioake made the fatal mistake of not paying attention to her race nutrition and hydration, crucial for the eight-plus hours of an Ironman. She does not remember starting the run. Her kidneys shut down and the Australian passed out 13km into the marathon. "I woke up in the medical tent," Hollioake told AAP. "Some really hard and tough lessons learned, but some really valuable lessons ... I paid the price. "The lessons you learn in Ironman are big ones - there are no easy lessons." But Hollioake recovered quickly and medical tests showed no lasting ill effects. "It was a bit confronting ... I got away with that one," she said. Now to Cairns, which is part of the Ironman Pro Series and boasting a top international field. It will be a crucial stepping stone for Hollioake ahead of Kona. The training camp was her first visit to the Big Island and she immediately understood why the Hawaiian Ironman is such a big deal. "I can see why it's really hard to get right, that race. It's such an extreme climate and the course is brutal," she said. "But I really enjoyed it. I quite like getting in the hurt locker and just staying there." Hollioake also is determined to return to top form with a big result in Cairns. "I'm really, really excited for this race. I've never been in better condition in terms of physically, but also emotionally ... I'm really confident in the fact that I've done everything I can," she said. "You definitely need to have your head in the game for the race at hand. But in the back of your mind, there's always Kona being the big goal," she said. "We're all business for Cairns on Sunday. "I don't know what I'm capable of, but I keep surprising myself." New Zealander Hannah Berry will defend her title and Australian Kylie Simpson is a two-time Cairns champion, while Queensland-based Dutch star Lotte Wilms and American Jackie Hering are other prominent names. The men's race will feature three-time winner Braden Currie from New Zealand, rising Australian star Nick Thompson and American long-distance gun Matthew Marquardt. After announcing herself as a new star of Ironman triathlon, Australian Regan Hollioake is now acutely aware of what can happen when race day goes wrong. The 35-year-old from Ballarat is one of the leading favourites for Sunday's Ironman Cairns, which she is racing for the first time. Hollioake will also make her debut in October at the Hawaiian Ironman world championships - triathlon's most famous race - and has come to Cairns fresh from a three-week training camp at the Kona race site. Since turning professional last year, Hollioake has won Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie as well as the New Zealand and Malaysia Ironman races over the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run format. Then, in late April, she raced Ironman Texas and, as Hollioake explains it, "I got a little wrapped up in the race". Hollioake made the fatal mistake of not paying attention to her race nutrition and hydration, crucial for the eight-plus hours of an Ironman. She does not remember starting the run. Her kidneys shut down and the Australian passed out 13km into the marathon. "I woke up in the medical tent," Hollioake told AAP. "Some really hard and tough lessons learned, but some really valuable lessons ... I paid the price. "The lessons you learn in Ironman are big ones - there are no easy lessons." But Hollioake recovered quickly and medical tests showed no lasting ill effects. "It was a bit confronting ... I got away with that one," she said. Now to Cairns, which is part of the Ironman Pro Series and boasting a top international field. It will be a crucial stepping stone for Hollioake ahead of Kona. The training camp was her first visit to the Big Island and she immediately understood why the Hawaiian Ironman is such a big deal. "I can see why it's really hard to get right, that race. It's such an extreme climate and the course is brutal," she said. "But I really enjoyed it. I quite like getting in the hurt locker and just staying there." Hollioake also is determined to return to top form with a big result in Cairns. "I'm really, really excited for this race. I've never been in better condition in terms of physically, but also emotionally ... I'm really confident in the fact that I've done everything I can," she said. "You definitely need to have your head in the game for the race at hand. But in the back of your mind, there's always Kona being the big goal," she said. "We're all business for Cairns on Sunday. "I don't know what I'm capable of, but I keep surprising myself." New Zealander Hannah Berry will defend her title and Australian Kylie Simpson is a two-time Cairns champion, while Queensland-based Dutch star Lotte Wilms and American Jackie Hering are other prominent names. The men's race will feature three-time winner Braden Currie from New Zealand, rising Australian star Nick Thompson and American long-distance gun Matthew Marquardt.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Foot fault: star's setback a blow for battling Blues
Carlton's finals hopes have received a huge blow after star midfielder Sam Walsh was ruled out for between five to six weeks with a foot injury. Walsh reported soreness in his foot at training on Friday and was sent off for scans, which revealed a hot spot. Carlton say there is no fracture in the foot and surgery isn't required, but a period of recovery is needed to allow the injury to settle. The Blues hope Walsh will return in either round 19 or 20. That means he will not only miss Sunday's clash with West Coast in Perth, but also games against North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane, before a possible return against Melbourne in round 19. Carlton's season is already hanging in the balance at 5-7, and the loss of Walsh is a big blow to their hopes of clawing back into the top eight. Jaxon Binns has been called up into Carlton's 23 to take on West Coast. "Sam was unable to complete yesterday's main training session after reporting soreness in his foot," Carlton's football manager Brad Lloyd said. "Sam will need a period of recovery to allow his foot to settle before his he able to return to play." Carlton have already lost Nic Newman (knee), No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith (knee) and Brodie Kemp (achilles) for the rest of the season, while star forward Harry McKay will miss his second consecutive match due to knee soreness. West Coast have made three changes from the team that lost to North Melbourne by 10 points last week. Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side. Premiership defender Tom Cole will spend a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Brady Hough (illness) and Archer Reid (omitted) are the other outs. Meanwhile, All-Australian West Coast backman Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel on Thursday night. McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career. Carlton's finals hopes have received a huge blow after star midfielder Sam Walsh was ruled out for between five to six weeks with a foot injury. Walsh reported soreness in his foot at training on Friday and was sent off for scans, which revealed a hot spot. Carlton say there is no fracture in the foot and surgery isn't required, but a period of recovery is needed to allow the injury to settle. The Blues hope Walsh will return in either round 19 or 20. That means he will not only miss Sunday's clash with West Coast in Perth, but also games against North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane, before a possible return against Melbourne in round 19. Carlton's season is already hanging in the balance at 5-7, and the loss of Walsh is a big blow to their hopes of clawing back into the top eight. Jaxon Binns has been called up into Carlton's 23 to take on West Coast. "Sam was unable to complete yesterday's main training session after reporting soreness in his foot," Carlton's football manager Brad Lloyd said. "Sam will need a period of recovery to allow his foot to settle before his he able to return to play." Carlton have already lost Nic Newman (knee), No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith (knee) and Brodie Kemp (achilles) for the rest of the season, while star forward Harry McKay will miss his second consecutive match due to knee soreness. West Coast have made three changes from the team that lost to North Melbourne by 10 points last week. Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side. Premiership defender Tom Cole will spend a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Brady Hough (illness) and Archer Reid (omitted) are the other outs. Meanwhile, All-Australian West Coast backman Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel on Thursday night. McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career. Carlton's finals hopes have received a huge blow after star midfielder Sam Walsh was ruled out for between five to six weeks with a foot injury. Walsh reported soreness in his foot at training on Friday and was sent off for scans, which revealed a hot spot. Carlton say there is no fracture in the foot and surgery isn't required, but a period of recovery is needed to allow the injury to settle. The Blues hope Walsh will return in either round 19 or 20. That means he will not only miss Sunday's clash with West Coast in Perth, but also games against North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Brisbane, before a possible return against Melbourne in round 19. Carlton's season is already hanging in the balance at 5-7, and the loss of Walsh is a big blow to their hopes of clawing back into the top eight. Jaxon Binns has been called up into Carlton's 23 to take on West Coast. "Sam was unable to complete yesterday's main training session after reporting soreness in his foot," Carlton's football manager Brad Lloyd said. "Sam will need a period of recovery to allow his foot to settle before his he able to return to play." Carlton have already lost Nic Newman (knee), No.3 draft pick Jagga Smith (knee) and Brodie Kemp (achilles) for the rest of the season, while star forward Harry McKay will miss his second consecutive match due to knee soreness. West Coast have made three changes from the team that lost to North Melbourne by 10 points last week. Tom McCarthy, the No.1 pick from the mid-season rookie draft, has been named for his AFL debut, while Clay Hall and Bailey Williams return to the side. Premiership defender Tom Cole will spend a stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Brady Hough (illness) and Archer Reid (omitted) are the other outs. Meanwhile, All-Australian West Coast backman Jeremy McGovern faces an anxious wait after fronting the AFL's concussion panel on Thursday night. McGovern hasn't played since being concussed in the round eight loss to Melbourne on May 3, and the concussion panel will decide whether he can continue his decorated 197-game career.
