Mollie O'Callaghan wins 200m freestyle gold at swimming world championships in Singapore
O'Callaghan collected gold in the women's 200m freestyle on a Wednesday night at the worlds when Australia's fortunes fluctuated.
The victory means the 21-year-old has drawn level with Grant Hackett on 10 world titles, and is one off equalling Ian Thorpe. She still has the 100m and two relays to come.
Meanwhile, stalwart Kyle Chalmers laid down an ominous marker for the men's 100m freestyle final and rookie Harrison Turner won bronze in the men's 200m butterfly — Australia's first medal in the event at a world titles.
But compatriot Sam Short's torrid times at major meets continued when the gold medal fancy was forced to withdraw from the men's 800m freestyle final because of gastro illness.
He suspects food poisoning from lunch at the team hotel, but Swimming Australia said the source had yet to be identified.
Short's Olympics last year were cruelled by illness and injury and the 21-year-old was hoping his fortunes had changed in Singapore after winning silver in in the 400m freestyle on the opening night of the titles.
His disappointment at not making the blocks was in stark contrast to O'Callaghan's joy at her 200m freestyle gold.
O'Callaghan triumphed in one minute and 53.48 seconds with teammate Jamie Perkins (1:56.55) finishing seventh.
"Heading into this week has been a whirlwind," O'Callaghan said.
"Having a big long break after the Olympics was well needed and then coming back from injury myself, I am so thankful to have an amazing coach [Dean Boxall] to guide me through this difficult time.
"I know it has been hard for a lot of people to come back after the Olympics but I am very grateful to have a good support from the team to get me through this mentally and physically."
Chalmers was fourth fastest into Thursday night's 100m freestyle medal race.
The 27-year-old clocked 47.36 seconds in his semi-final — quicker than his 2016 Olympic gold medal swim and also faster than his silver medal effort at last year's Olympics. American Jack Alexy (46.81) topped semifinal times.
And the Dolphins' medal tally received an unexpected boost when 21-year-old Turner snared bronze in the men's 200m butterfly.
The 21-year-old former cross country athlete snuck into the final in lane eight and then produced an Australian record of 1:54.17 in a race won by American Luca Urlando (1:51.87).
"I looked up on the board and I had to look there for a bit, I was like: 'Does it say third?'," Turner said.
"It's just unreal."
Australia's mixed 4x100m medley team of Kaylee McKeown, Nash Wilkes, Matt Temple and Milla Jansen finished fifth.
Also on Wednesday night, French megastar Leon Marchand broke the men's 200m medley world record.
Marchand clocked 1:52.69 in a semifinal, well inside American Ryan Lochte's previous benchmark of 1:54.00 set in 2011.
Meanwhile at the diving world titles held concurrently in Singapore, Australian duo Cassiel Rousseau and Maddison Keeney won silver in the mixed 3m springboard synchro on Wednesday night.
The silver was Keeney's second medal of the championships after winning 1m springboard gold last Saturday.
AAP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
44 minutes ago
- ABC News
Sunshine Coast Marathon pacers help beginners reach personal best on new-look track
More than 15,000 runners will take to a new-look Sunshine Coast Marathon course on Sunday in what organisers say will be a sneak peek into what the 2032 Olympics course could look like. The course will have runners of all levels itching to give it a crack and potentially set a new personal best. But, as always, there will be a collection of runners like Ian Chang, known as pacers, who put their own ambitions aside to help others have a better run. "It was a natural calling after years of running," said Mr Chang, who has been a pacer for three years. Dressed in yellow with a helium balloon and a designated time tied above their heads, pacers are experienced runners who help guide participants towards their goals. Mr Chang, who will help runners aiming for a 4-hour 15-minute time, said he found it more rewarding after running marathons for five years. "It's more enjoyable. To help a group of people achieve their goal brings me so much happiness." Mr Chang said getting too excited was a common rookie error. "It is easy for beginners to lose their focus," he said. "Once the race starts, there are a lot of runners, and they tend to just follow someone because they're excited, and if they follow the wrong person — who is going too fast for their target — they will lose sight of the goal." He said keeping an eye on the pacer with their goal time could avoid a lot of pain and heartache. "Run with a pacer because what's the pacer's job? To make sure that you can cross the finish line easily," he said. "That is what we try to convince the runner: always follow the plan and remember you're not alone." The Sunshine Coast Marathon course was redesigned this year to feature a single-lap route taking in picturesque sights. Runners will start at Alexandra Headland and run north to Mudjimba and back, which could form a blueprint for the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic marathon course. Event managing director Jason Crowther believed it was the best course for the city. He said the 2032 course would not be confirmed by the International Olympic Committee until four years before the games, but he said the city would like to host world championship events. "Then we can bring international athletes to the event and have it as a training run for when we do know where that 2032 course is going to be," he said. It is estimated that the race weekend will generate about $10.5 million for the local economy, according to Visit Sunshine Coast. Chief executive Matt Stoeckel said the event was a major boost to tourism during the winter months, with more than half of all participants coming from outside the region. "Our hotel occupancy rate is 70 per cent this weekend and that's up more than 8 per cent year on year," he said. "We sure hope it continues to grow in future years."
SBS Australia
44 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
SBS News in Filipino, Saturday 2 August 2025
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will unveil an Indigenous economic development plan when he delivers the keynote address at the Garma festival today. Impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte sparks division in senate. Filipinas qualify for AFC Women's Asia Cup 2026; Australia gears up for the match. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST SBS Filipino 05:54 Filipino 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Best coin spent': Ginnivan responds after giving Crows fans the bird as young Hawk to be fined
Hawthorn young gun Jack Ginnivan is the latest AFL player set to be sanctioned for giving the bird to Adelaide supporters. Ginnivan was caught on camera pulling his finger to Crows fans while walking off Adelaide Oval after the Hawks' 14-point loss on Friday night. The 22-year old, who's set to cop a $1000 fine for the incident, took to Instagram to respond to a video of the act with the comment: 'Best coin spent.' FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Ginnivan would join the likes of Geelong's Bailey Smith and West Coast's Harley Reid in getting fined for the middle-finger salute in 2025. 'There was definitely a one-fingered salute from Jack Ginnivan,' Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy. 'I think we call that the Bailey Smith ... the going rate is $1000, we saw Bailey Smith double-finger salute and also Harley Reid earlier in the year. 'That's what (Ginnivan) does, that's Hok-ball for you.' Ginnivan was among Hawthorn's best players on Friday night, finishing with 20 disposals and two goals. The youngster's post-game bird weren't his only cheeky antics on the night, with Ginnivan turning to the crowd after kicking an epic goal on his left foot late in the third quarter and pointing to his ear.
