'I've looked up to you': Beautiful moment teen swimmer realises win over idol

Canadian teenager Margaret MacNeil has upstaged her idol and four-time world champion Sarah Sjostrom to win gold in the 100m butterfly at the world titles.

Just 19 years old, MacNeil swam a monster final 50m and touched home in 55.83 ahead of Sjostrom (56.22).

Australia's Emma McKeon made a recovery of her own to finish third in 56.61, while compatriot Brianna Throssell finished fifth (57.09).

MacNeil's come-from-behind victory over Sjostrom was monumental.

The 25-year-old Swede won her first 100m butterfly world title in 2009 and had since gone on to win gold in Rio along with the 2013, 2015 and 2017 world titles.

She took out a strong pace, dipping under her world-record pace on the first lap, while MacNeil was in fifth place.

But MacNeil had the fastest closing lap – 29.06 – of the eight-woman final and took out the gold.

It just took a moment to sink in.

Sjostrom from the lane over appeared to react to the timing board first: "Wow."

Then MacNeil read her name at the top of the list: "Oh my god. Oh my god!"

As Sjostrom leaned in for a hug, MacNeil let slip an incredible line befitting the stunning moment.

"I've looked up to you for so long," she said with her arms wrapped around her idol.

Sjostrom, all smiles, produced her own wonderful act of sportsmanship as she raised MacNeil's arm in celebration.