Ariarne Titmus stunned as swimming world erupts over Aussie's feat

Aussie swimming sensation Ariarne Titmus has been defeated in the Australian Swimming Trials with 19-year-old Mollie O'Callaghan producing the fastest time in 2023 in a race that stunned the world. Olympic champion Titmus entered the race as favourite and was looking to eclipse young Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh's fastest time of 2023 heading into the World Championships.

However, it wasn't Titmus who stole the show but 19-year-old O'Callaghan who produced the fastest 200m freestyle time of 2023 with a jaw-dropping 1:53.83. O'Callaghan was slightly behind with 50m to go, but she powered home after the final turn to cement her name as one of the favourites later this year.

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The field so was deep for talent - in a great sign for Australian women's swimming - that Shayna Jack finished ninth after the heats. Incredibly, it was the first time O'Callaghan swam under the 1:54.00 mark and it also meant it was the fifth fastest time in history.

O'Callaghan's swim now moves her in front of 16-year-old sensation McIntosh who has been shattering records this year. As for Titmus, the Aussie golden girl recorded the third fastest time this year to highlight just how stacked the field is in the 200m freestyle World Championship competition.

While it wasn't Titmus' best day, the 22-year-old still holds a personal best of 1:53.09 and will be confident she can come out with the gold at the Championships. Her time also edged her in front of long-time rival Katie Ledecky's best in 2023.

The Aussie moved past the iconic American with the third fastest time this year. But the spotlight was on O'Callaghan and her immense swim, which has seen her eclipse Titmus already this year at the Australian Championships back in April.

Swimming world erupts over Mollie O'Callaghan swim

The 19-year-old was thrilled to see her hard work pay off and admitted she was so nervous before the race next to the Olympic champion. “Absolutely amazed by that race,” the 19-year-old said on Channel Nine after the race.

“I came into this so nervous and just hoping for a PB and top two. Just so happy and overjoyed. This is what Dean has taught me and guided me through.”

And the swimming world erupted at O'Callaghan's achievement after the race. Dual Olympian Meagan Nay was thrilled for O'Callaghan and labelled the race as 'spicy'. Others were left stunned at Titmus and whether she was below her best leading into the World Championships.

Earlier in the week, Titmus discussed her plans after the Paris Olympic Games and said she was treating each swim like it was her last. "When you're going into a meet like this you always want to take an opportunity to swim as fast as you can," she said.

"Dean and I had the conversation. I don't know what I'm gonna do after Paris - like I plan to continue but you never know - and this could be like my fourth-last 400m including Paris and trials and then worlds and this.

"If I decide to end, it could be my fourth-last rested 400. So you've got to use these opportunities to swim as fast as you can. Honestly, I wanted to swim a bit faster tonight, but I'll look at the splits and see how it went."

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