Mollie O’Callaghan has secured an incredible, record-breaking win in the women’s 200m freestyle final, touching the wall ahead of friend and arch rival, Ariarne Titmus.
O’Callaghan who like Titmus is coached by Dean Boxall, achieved a time of 1:53.27 with Titmus finishing a fraction behind her in 1:53.81.
O’Callaghan masterfully allowed her rivals to set the pace, before firing up in the third lap. The 20-year-old’s immense pace in the final 50 clinched her gold.
Below are O’Callaghan’s 50m splits:
50m — 27.01 (5th place)
100m — 29.06 (56.07, 5th)
150m — 29.22 (1:25.29, 3rd)
200m — 27.98 (1:53.27, 1st)
Speaking to the Nine Network after her win, O’Callaghan described the honour she felt to be with everyone and compete against Titmus
“She is an absolute gun. She races like an absolute beast and it’s an honour to train alongside her and have such a great team around us.
O’Callaghan also admitted to putting “a lot of pressure” on herself.
“My expectations are very high. That was an amazing race. I’m always wanting that little bit more. I just had to go with coach Dean Boxall and trust him knowing what to do and what’s best.”
“To be honest, I did it for the country, I didn’t do it for myself. I’m racing for all these people.”