SwimmingAustralian Ariarne Titmus has set a new world record in the women’s 400m freestyle event at the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. The highly anticipated race, dubbed the “Race of the Century,” featured Titmus, Canada’s Summer McIntosh, and USA’s Katie Ledecky.
McIntosh, the 16-year-old prodigy, had already broken Titmus’ previous world record and held the fastest time heading into the final. Ledecky, widely regarded as the greatest female swimmer in history, was the defending champion.
Titmus executed a flawless race, leading from start to finish and breaking the three-minute and 56-second mark for the first time in history. Her time, 3:55.38, shattered McIntosh’s prior record by eight milliseconds. Ledecky finished in second place, more than three seconds behind, while New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather claimed the bronze.
Titmus’s victory was not just a win but a coronation, solidifying her status as one of the sport’s brightest stars. The Australian swimmer had already achieved success as a former world champion and reigning Olympic and Commonwealth champion. However, her performance in this race was something truly special.
After the race, Titmus expressed her satisfaction, saying, “This victory is my most satisfying.” Her coach, Dean Boxall, known for his exuberant celebrations during the Tokyo Olympics, did not disappoint, celebrating wildly.
The success continued for Australia, with Sam Short winning the men’s 400m freestyle and the Australian women’s team breaking their own world record in the 4x100m freestyle relay. The Australian men’s team also secured a surprise victory in the closely contested 4x100m freestyle relay, thanks to a stellar anchor swim by Kyle Chalmers.
With these impressive performances, Australia showcased its current dominance in the pool. Looking ahead to the Paris Olympics next year, the world championships hinted at the exciting clashes to come, with McIntosh and Ledecky poised for a resurgence. Nevertheless, it is Titmus who has emerged as the one to beat, triumphing in the “Race of the Century” and leaving her mark on the history books.
The only disappointment for Australia was the disqualification of Kaylee McKeown, a gold medal contender, in the individual medley semi-finals. Despite this setback, Australia’s exceptional performance at the world championships foreshadows a promising future for the swimming powerhouse.