logo
Australia's Mollie O'Callaghan pipped by Dutch swimmer Marrit Steenbergen in women's 100m freestyle final

Australia's Mollie O'Callaghan pipped by Dutch swimmer Marrit Steenbergen in women's 100m freestyle final

7NEWS3 days ago
Backstroke star Kaylee McKeown and freestyle sprinter Cameron McEvoy will lead the charge as Australia attempt to claw their way back above the US at the swimming world championships in Singapore.
A silver and bronze medal on Friday night dropped Australia (five gold, two silver, six bronze) into second spot on the medal tally behind the US (five gold, 10 silver, five bronze).
Mollie O'Callaghan started as the hot favourite in the women's 100m freestyle final, but her late charge wasn't enough to beat Dutchwoman Marrit Steenbergen, who prevailed by 0.12 of a second.
It means O'Callaghan's bid to surpass Ian Thorpe's Australian record of 11 world championship gold medals will have to wait for another day.
'Look, I'm tired,' O'Callaghan said after the race.
'Like, I'm not gonna lie, last night was a big night. None of those girls did what I did last night.
'I'm happy to walk away with a medal.
'Honestly, I would always love to win. But honestly, to get on the podium after such a s***-show of a year, I'm pretty happy.
'It just shows the strength that I have and the block I can do in the future knowing that I've barely done any training for this.'
The only other medal for Australia on Friday night was a bronze to the men's 4x200m freestyle relay team of Flynn Southam, Charlie Hawke, Kai Taylor and Maximillian Giuliani.
The quartet entered their final as big underdogs, but they came within a whisker of nabbing silver.
Great Britain won gold in a time of 6:59.84, with China (7:00.91) just edging Australia (7:00.98).
While day six didn't result in a gold rush for Australia, things could be different on Saturday night.
McKeown is a two-time Olympic champion in both the 100m and 200m backstroke.
The 24-year-old won the 100m world championship backstroke final ahead of arch rival Regan Smith on Wednesday.
And McKeown will have the chance to add the 200m crown to her name on Saturday night when she goes up against the likes of Smith, Xuwei Peng, Anastasiya Shkurdai and Claire Curzan in the final.
McEvoy qualified fastest with a time of 21.30 seconds for the men's 50m freestyle final, and the Olympic champion is hoping to come up trumps on Saturday night.
'I can't complain, it's only 0.05 off what I did to win Paris,' McEvoy said of his Friday night semi-final swim.
'It's good, but the job's not done. I've got one more tomorrow.
'I need to let the finals atmosphere kind of lift me up a bit. Don't think about the end time. Don't go down that rabbit hole. Let the body speak for itself and see where I end up.'
Australians Alexandria Perkins and Lily Price both qualified for the women's 50m butterfly final, while Matt Temple qualified sixth fastest for the men's 100m butterfly final.
During the daytime heats on Saturday, Isaac Cooper will feature in the men's 50m backstroke, Meg Harris and Olivia Wunsch are in the women's 50m freestyle, while Sam Short will be hoping to overcome illness to compete in the men's 1500m freestyle.
O'Callaghan said tiredness from a busy schedule meant she wasn't at her best in Friday night's 100m freestyle final.
Thorpe is sure it's just a matter of time before the 21-year-old surpasses his record mark of 11 world championship gold medals - possibly even in Saturday night's 4x100m mixed freestyle relay final.
'I'm certain and I can't wait to see Mollie surpass that,' Thorpe told the Nine Network.
'What she has the opportunity to do is create her own legacy in swimming, which will continue to inspire people in future generations … leading into the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mollie O'Callaghan, Meg Harris, Harry Turner and Sam Short: The faces of Aussie swimming's next generation
Mollie O'Callaghan, Meg Harris, Harry Turner and Sam Short: The faces of Aussie swimming's next generation

West Australian

time10 hours ago

  • West Australian

Mollie O'Callaghan, Meg Harris, Harry Turner and Sam Short: The faces of Aussie swimming's next generation

Australia is cooking up another golden generation in the pool. And our new crop of swimming superstars have just had a coming-out party at the World Aquatics Championships, which has them primed to dominate next year's Commonwealth Games. The Aussies finished second only to their powerhouse rivals the United States in the swimming leg of the championships and second only to China overall. It lays down a marker for major international tournaments on the horizon, including next year's Games in Glasgow - broadcast live and fee on Channel Seven - and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. There are new faces leading the way for the Aussies too. At just 21, Mollie O'Callaghan — who Australia was introduced to during last year's Olympics — has already equalled Ian Thorpe's record gold-medal haul at 11. The Brisbane-born jet now has time on her side. While a life in swimming is short, O'Callaghan is already shaping as one of the faces of her home Olympics in 2032. She is on track to become the greatest Australian swimmer of all time and is a strong chance to break Emma McKeon's all-time Aussie gold-medal collection at the next Olympics. McKeon's six golds came largely as a mainstay of the country's relay teams. O'Callaghan anchors Australia's teams, but also has an individual presence. O'Callaghan claimed the blue-riband 200m freestyle gold — the event she took Ariarne Titmus' mantle in at Paris last year — again in Singapore this week as well as steering home two relays. 'I look at her, and I see the gold medallist,' Thorpe said of O'Callaghan. '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.' Fellow Aussie freestyler Meg Harris also broke into the individual realm on the final night of the titles, powering to the 50m freestyle crown. Harris — who is deaf in one ear — even won the race with her eyes closed, literally. 'It's normal for me,' Harris said of her shut-eye habit. 'I do it a lot in the 50m and in the 100m, I always do it on the second lap. So I'm not quite sure what it is, I do it in training as well, but I guess it's just like trying to focus on my stroke … not 100 per cent, that's just what happens.' The Aussie that captured the nation's hearts during the championships was knockabout Queenslander Harrison Turner, who was just as stunned as everyone else when he claimed a bronze medal and shaved three seconds off his personal best in the 200m butterfly. He described his medal as 'dirty gold' in a hilarious poolside interview. After sneaking in to the final in lane eight, Turner said his mentality was: 'I've got a lane, I've got a chance.' 'If you told me I was gonna win a gold — I mean, sorry, a bronze medal — at the start of the year … I'd tell you you're dreaming,' he said. If O'Callaghan looms as the Cathy Freeman-like face of the Brisbane Games, Turner has all the potential to be a hometown cult hero. His mullet sits comfortably and he spends as much time fishing, surfing and on the water with mates as he does between lane ropes. Queensland's swimming production line has also made Sam Short a star of the future. The 21-year-old battled serious illness — which threatened to spoil his week — to claim silver in the 400m freestyle. Backstroke queen Kaylee McKeown still looms large. She has already competed at two Olympics and is poised to tear up the Commonwealth Games, clear of American rival Regan Smith.

Meet the fresh faces of Aussie swimming's golden generation
Meet the fresh faces of Aussie swimming's golden generation

Perth Now

time10 hours ago

  • Perth Now

Meet the fresh faces of Aussie swimming's golden generation

Australia is cooking up another golden generation in the pool. And our new crop of swimming superstars have just had a coming-out party at the World Aquatics Championships, which has them primed to dominate next year's Commonwealth Games. The Aussies finished second only to their powerhouse rivals the United States in the swimming leg of the championships and second only to China overall. It lays down a marker for major international tournaments on the horizon, including next year's Games in Glasgow and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. There are new faces leading the way for the Aussies too. At just 21, Mollie O'Callaghan — who Australia was introduced to during last year's Olympics — has already equalled Ian Thorpe's record gold-medal haul at 11. The Brisbane-born jet now has time on her side. While a life in swimming is short, O'Callaghan is already shaping as one of the faces of her home Olympics in 2032. She is on track to become the greatest Australian swimmer of all time and is a strong chance to break Emma McKeon's all-time Aussie gold-medal collection at the next Olympics. McKeon's six golds came largely as a mainstay of the country's relay teams. O'Callaghan anchors Australia's teams, but also has an individual presence. Mollie O'Callaghan. Credit: instagram/Mollie O'Callaghan / supplied O'Callaghan claimed the blue-riband 200m freestyle gold — the event she took Ariarne Titmus' mantle in at Paris last year — again in Singapore this week as well as steering home two relays. 'I look at her, and I see the gold medallist,' Thorpe said of O'Callaghan. '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.' Meg Harris. Credit: instagram/Meg Harris / supplied Fellow Aussie freestyler Meg Harris also broke into the individual realm on the final night of the titles, powering to the 50m freestyle crown. Harris — who is deaf in one ear — even won the race with her eyes closed, literally. 'It's normal for me,' Harris said of her shut-eye habit. 'I do it a lot in the 50m and in the 100m, I always do it on the second lap. So I'm not quite sure what it is, I do it in training as well, but I guess it's just like trying to focus on my stroke … not 100 per cent, that's just what happens.' The Aussie that captured the nation's hearts during the championships was knockabout Queenslander Harrison Turner, who was just as stunned as everyone else when he claimed a bronze medal and shaved three seconds off his personal best in the 200m butterfly. He described his medal as 'dirty gold' in a hilarious poolside interview. After sneaking in to the final in lane eight, Turner said his mentality was: 'I've got a lane, I've got a chance.' 'If you told me I was gonna win a gold — I mean, sorry, a bronze medal — at the start of the year … I'd tell you you're dreaming,' he said. If O'Callaghan looms as the Cathy Freeman-like face of the Brisbane Games, Turner has all the potential to be a hometown cult hero. Harrison Turner. Credit: instagram/Harrison Turner / supplied His mullet sits comfortably and he spends as much time fishing, surfing and on the water with mates as he does between lane ropes. Queensland's swimming production line has also made Sam Short a star of the future. The 21-year-old battled serious illness — which threatened to spoil his week — to claim silver in the 400m freestyle. Backstroke queen Kaylee McKeown still looms large. She has already competed at two Olympics and is poised to tear up the Commonwealth Games, clear of American rival Regan Smith. Sam Short. Credit: instagram/Sam Short / supplied

State's best hill climbers head to Ringwood Park for shot at Aussie titles
State's best hill climbers head to Ringwood Park for shot at Aussie titles

The Advertiser

time10 hours ago

  • The Advertiser

State's best hill climbers head to Ringwood Park for shot at Aussie titles

Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles. A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK. Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track. Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits. Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth. Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship. Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth. The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard. However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event. He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey. This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia. McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023. While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. "Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways. "This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am. Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles. A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK. Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track. Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits. Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth. Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship. Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth. The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard. However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event. He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey. This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia. McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023. While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. "Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways. "This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am. Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles. A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK. Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track. Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits. Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth. Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship. Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth. The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard. However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event. He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey. This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia. McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023. While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. "Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways. "This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store