Mollie O’Callaghan falls agonisingly in need of record-breaking World Championships gold

Australian swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan has gained silver within the Women’s 100m freestyle on the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

She completed simply 0.12 seconds behind the winner, Marrit Steenbergen, from the Netherlands, who gained with a time of 52.55.

A win for O’Callaghan would have put her one forward of Ian Thorpe because the Australian all-time main gold medal winner on the world swimming championships.

But on the finish of a busy program through which she’s gained three gold medals, fatigue has caught as much as her.

The very first thing she mentioned to journalists post-race was: “Tired, very tired.”

“I think coming off last night, and especially — like I’ve said a thousand times — I haven’t had the greatest prep towards this, and to do what I did tonight and last night and the night before, I’m pretty proud,” O’Callaghan mentioned.

“To be on the podium is something special, and I’m always grateful for it.

“Obviously, we might like to win, everybody would like to win, however like that is all I might do tonight, so I’m fairly glad.”

She mentioned she had the heaviest program within the Australian group, however with two relays nonetheless to come back, she nonetheless has an opportunity of pulling forward of Thorpe’s report.

Australia’s Men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team of Flynn Southam, Charlie Hawke, Kai Taylor and Max Giuliani continued a successful campaign for the Dolphins, coming third behind Great Britain and China.

Southam, Taylor and Giuliani added bronze to the gold medals on night one of the championships in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

“We’ve come away with a bronze and we’re such a younger group,” Giuliani mentioned.

“I feel we’re all an actual risk sooner or later — we’re all 20, 22, 21, we have loads left in us.

“I think come 2028, we’re going to be a real force to be reckoned with.”

Cameron McEvoy certified quickest after the semifinals of the boys’s 50m freestyle.

His time of 21.3 seconds equalled his time on the Australian trials because the quickest time recorded on the earth this 12 months.

Normally, 50m freestylers do not take a breath, however McEvoy did with about 10 metres to go, suggesting he can go sooner.

“[It] suggests I’m in pretty good shape,” McEvoy mentioned.

“Sprinting at these speeds, it’s difficult because sometimes taking your foot off the gas allows you to hold speed a little bit better than gripping it too hard.

“It’s a very new race tomorrow, it should be onerous.”

He said his main priority after winning the Olympic gold medal at Paris last year was swimming as fast as he possibly could, rather than winning.

“For me now, primarily, I’m after a time,” he mentioned.

“Always wish to get my hand on the wall first, however I feel many of the ardour comes from chasing that point — that perfection,” McEvoy mentioned.

Kaylee McKeown qualified fourth fastest for the women’s 200m backstroke final as she seeks to add to the 100m final she won against the odds earlier in the week.

Matthew Temple made it through to the finals of the men’s 100m butterfly final in sixth spot.

Two Australians qualified for the final of the women’s 50m butterfly: Alexandria Perkins, who won bronze in the 100m butterfly, qualified fourth, and Lily Price was seventh fastest.

The United States and Australia each have 5 gold medals, however the US leads the medal desk with 20 general in comparison with Australia in second with 13.