Ariarne Titmus sets a new 400m freestyle world record with a stunning performance and wins gold at the World Championships in Japan after blowing away her rivals
- Ariarne Titmus set a new world record in the 400m freestyle
- The Australian superstar finished in 3:55:38 and won gold at the World Championships
- Titmus is the favorite for gold at next year’s Paris Olympics
Australia’s Ariarne Titmus reclaimed the world record in the women’s 400m freestyle with a stunning win at the World Championships in Japan.
Titmus smashed acclaimed rival Summer McIntosh of Canada and USA’s Katie Ledecky with vigor to triumph in Sunday night’s acclaimed final in Fukuoka.
The Australian clocked a time of three minutes and 55.38 seconds, beating McIntosh’s world record of 3:56.08 set last March.
“I was really looking forward to this race […] “Katie and Summer always fought great,” said Titmus, who held the benchmark time for 18 months prior to McIntosh’s March performance.
“It’s just great to be a part of it.”
Ariarne Titmus recaptured the women’s 400m freestyle world record on Sunday
The Australian superstar won gold at the World Championships in Fukuoka after finishing 3.35 seconds ahead of rivals Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh in third place, 4.21 seconds back
Titmus finished 3.35 seconds ahead of Ledecky, with McIntosh in third place, some 4.21 seconds behind the Australian.
Earlier, Australia’s Sam Short put a golden stamp on his swimming career by winning the men’s 400m freestyle.
Short lends his name to a rich Australian history in the 400m freestyle with legends Ian Thorpe, Grant Hackett and Kieren Perkins.
“They are my heroes,” Short said.
“They’re among Australia’s best athletes anywhere.” It’s an honor to be with them.
“And hopefully I can move up the ladder and one day match Thorpey in the rankings.”
The 19-year-old Short, the youngest swimmer in Sunday night’s final, beat Olympic gold medalist Ahmed Hafnaoui by 0.02 seconds.
Short led at every 100m mark before the Tunisian challenged in the final 50m.
“I knew he won the sprint finish in Tokyo – he’s a big guy, I could see him coming at me in the last 100 meters,” Short said.
Titmus clocked 3:55.38, beating McIntosh’s world record of 3:56.08 set in March
“And for the last 25 I threw everything at the wall.
“I’m excited. To be honest I couldn’t wait to get on the Lane rope and start bending.
“It’s what you dream of as a young man.”
Short’s winning time of 3:40.68 is the fourth fastest of all time and is just 0.61 seconds below the world record set 14 years ago by German star Paul Biedermann.