Mollie set to pip Aussie legend in country's epic pool haul
And it's golden girl, 21-year-old ace Mollie O'Callaghan, who has now equalled swimming legend Ian Thorpe's record for most gold medals at the world championships.
Aussie swimmers have dominated this week's titles in Singapore and have landed big blows on our closest rivals the United States.
O'Callaghan sealed her 11th career world champs gold on Thursday night, powering Australia to victory in the 4x100m freestyle relay and to the top of the medal tally, ahead of the US. The Queensland jet saw off a challenge from legendary American swimmer Katie Ledecky.
That's after she won the 200m freestyle with a clutch swim after qualifying second. She was pushed all the way by America's Claire Weinstein.
It now means she is firmly in the conversation for the greatest Aussie swimmer of all time, alongside Thorpe, Olympic medal record-holder Emma McKeon and countrywomen Ariarne Titmus and Kaylee McKeown.
But O'Callaghan and McKeown have time on their side. The pair are locked in for a tilt at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and are likely to then shoot for the 2032 home Games in Brisbane.
'It is very special,' O'Callaghan said.
'Like, it would be wrong if I said it wasn't special, it's a huge accomplishment in a way.'
Thorpe expected his record to tumble when red-hot favourite O'Callaghan was due to race the women's 100m freestyle final on Friday night.
'I look at her, and I see the gold medallist,' Thorpe said in commentary for Channel 9.
'She will go far beyond 11 (golds).
'And looking … beyond for Mollie O'Callaghan, is the opportunity not only at the world championships but multiple Olympics.'
O'Callaghan had already matched Thorpe's five Olympic golds, when she captured the attention of the world at last year's meet in France.
At the Singapore worlds, Australia topped the medal tally with three nights of competition remaining with five golds, one more than the United States.
The Dolphins had also won one silver and five bronze medals, including one to Kyle Chalmers in Thursday night's men's 100m freestyle final. Lani Pallister, Jamie Perkins, Brittany Castelluzzo and Mollie O'Callaghan of Team Australia celebrate winning the gold medal in the Women's 4x200m Freestyle Final. Credit: Lintao Zhang / Getty Images
Chalmers finished behind Romania's David Popovici who posted the second-fastest time ever, 46.51sec., followed by American Jack Alexy (46.92).
The South Australian 27-year-old touched in 47.17 — his personal best is 47.08 but he remains steadfast that he can break the 47-second barrier.
'Just kind of reinventing myself in the sport and finding a new way to swim fast,' Chalmers said.
'I'm just really grateful to have a really supportive team that believe in me, or probably believe in me more than I have believed in myself since Paris (Olympics) last year.'
But perhaps the best Aussie moment of the world champs belonged to another 21-year-old Queenslander in Harrison Turner.
The youngster produced a stunning swim to score a surprise bronze medal in the men's 200m butterfly on Wednesday night and gave a priceless poolside interview.
Turner jagged the country's first medal in the event.
'If you told me I was gonna win a gold — I mean, sorry, a bronze medal — at the start of the year, with a PB of 1:57, I'd tell you you're dreaming,' Turner said.
'Being in lane eight I just snuck in and I thought 'I've got a lane, I've got a chance'. I never would have imagined to sneak in a bronze there.'
Turner finished the interview — which has since gone viral online — by flexing to the camera and shouting 'dirty gold, let's go'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
18 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Ben Shelton adds biggest title to burgeoning career
Ben Shelton won the National Bank Open on Thursday for the third and biggest title of his young career, rallying to beat 11th-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov 6-7 (7-5) 6-4 7-6 (7-3). The 22-year-old Shelton, seeded fourth in the Masters 1000 hard-court event, had 16 aces in the final. He also won on hard courts in Tokyo in 2023 and on clay in Houston last year. Shelton will move to a career-high No.6 in the world. He outlasted Khachanov a night after topping second-seeded Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-3 in an all-American semi-final. The 29-year-old Khachanov has seven career victories - all on hard courts. In the semi-finals, he survived a match point in another third-set tiebreaker against top-seeded Alexander Zverev. Top-ranked Jannik Sinner - the 2023 winner in Toronto - and No.2 Carlos Alcaraz skipped the expanded event as they prepare for the US Open. Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool won the all-English doubles final, saving four match points in a 6-3 6-7 (7-5) 13-11 victory over Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski. The second-seeded Wimbledon champions have won 19 straight matches.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Spain knock US women off their perch in FIFA rankings
The US have been knocked off top spot in FIFA's latest women's rankings by world champions Spain. Spain regained the No.1 position despite losing to England in the final of the European Championship last month. The US held top position since August last year after winning gold at the Paris Olympics. Spain were No.1 from December 2023 to June last year after their World Cup triumph. The latest rankings were released by world governing body FIFA on Thursday. Australia remain 15th, one spot behind Denmark and one ahead of China. England, who have won back-to-back Euros and lost to Spain in the final at the 2023 World Cup, moved up one place to fourth. Brazil dropped three positions and are seventh despite successfully defending the Copa America to win their ninth continental title. Sweden and France were big movers after impressive showings at the Euros. Sweden rose three places and are third after being eliminated on penalties by England in the quarter-finals. France moved up four places to sixth after also losing in the quarter-finals.
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Glenn McGrath goes early with ‘very rare' Ashes whitewash prediction
Australian cricket great Glenn McGrath has held his tongue firmly in cheek to once again predict England will suffer a 5-0 whitewash in the Ashes this summer. Almost as famous for his prediction as his stellar career, the fast bowler has been on the money — or very close to it — more often than not. England have lost 5-0 or 4-0 in all but one series in Australia since 2002-03, their last Test win coming in 2010-11 when they claimed a 3-1 series triumph. The shocking run is not lost on England, either, with captain Ben Stokes avoiding talking about the Ashes for much of this year. But he now believes they are up for the fight after their 2-2 draw with India after a dramatic five-match series at home. 'The way in which we've been able to perform throughout the series, I'm looking forward to getting to Australia and doing what we want to go out there and do,' Stokes said. But for all the 'Bazball' heroics McGrath, as usual, has declared nothing will change. 'It's very rare for me to make a prediction, isn't it? And I can't make a different one — 5-0,' McGrath told the BBC. 'I'm very confident with our team. When you've got Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon firing in their home conditions, it's going to be pretty tough. 'Plus, that track record that England have had, it'd be interesting to see if they can win a Test. 'Last series was 4-0 and it's been a while since England have won a Test match (in Australia). The Aussies will be keen to keep that going.' McGrath laughed through the prediction and later said he was well aware of 'issues' with Australia's batting line-up. Yet he believes England's hopes rest on their batting line-up against the Aussie attack. Joe Root has never scored a Test century in Australia but is still firing elsewhere at 34 years old, well supported by Harry Brook, who has yet to play in an away Ashes series. 'This series will be a big one for Root,' McGrath said. 'He's never really done that well in Australia, he's not even got a 100 over there, so he'll be keen to get out there. He's in fine form. 'Brook's the one that I've enjoyed watching. He just goes out there, plays his game, and takes it on. The Australians will need to get on him pretty early.' Meanwhile, McGrath suggested the Ashes could also expose the team's Bazball approach under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. 'I love seeing sportspeople go out there and play without fear, ' he said. 'That's what Baz is looking to bring into this England team — play without fear. 'I'd like to see a bit more accountability and the mental side of the game, just them switched on a bit more. It's exciting.' England will arrive in Australia in early November before the first Test in Perth on November 21. The series then moves to Brisbane for a day-night Test from December 4, after which Adelaide will host its first day Ashes Test since 2013 from December 17. A short break follows before the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and New Year's Test in Sydney (January 4). The Ashes will be live and free on Channel 7 and 7plus Sport, complete with on-demand replays, minis and highlights.
