Ariarne Titmus makes history in 52-year first at Commonwealth Games
Ariarne Titmus has produced a blistering swim to clock a Commonwealth Games record in the 400m freestyle to complete a clean sweep of her events in Birmingham.
Having already won gold in the pool in the 4x200m medley earlier in the day, Titmus was attempting the rare feat of winning the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle events at the Games.
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Titmus knew she was facing strong competition with 15-year-old swimming sensation Summer McIntosh already showing she could be a future champion.
However, in a thrilling swim, Titmus showed why she is the Olympic champion and world record holder after producing a Commonwealth Games record of 3:58.06.
Titmus finished ahead of McIntosh, 3:59.32, who pushed the Aussie right until the end.
McIntosh's time was a junior world record.
Aussie Kiah Melverton finished in third place.
Despite the win, Titmus was two seconds off her world record time.
For the first time in more than 50 years, one person wins the 200, 400 and 800 women's freestyle - and it's Ariarne Titmus!#B2022 pic.twitter.com/IyeU6fd8UM
— 7Sport (@7Sport) August 3, 2022
The 22-year-old Aussie finished all three of her individual events with Commonwealth Games records.
"I came here with the goal to win all four," Titmus said.
"I'm excited to get the job done personally but also for the country."
Swimming world reacts to Ariarne Titmus record
Speaking to Channel 7 after the final day in the pool, Titmus admitted she was exhausted after her races at the Commonwealth Games.
"I'm bloody buggered," Titmus said with a smile.
"It's been a whirlwind tonight. Rushing around after the 400, had a bit to do...but I have loved this meet.
"I feel like it's been such a fun team to be away with, I love this group, I love the swim team."
The swimming world was quick to react to Titmus' insane performance level at the Games after becoming the first woman to win the 200m, 400m and 800m treble in 52 years since Aussie KarenMoras-Stephenson.
Another gold for Ariarne Titmus! 🥇
She holds off Summer McIntosh in the 400m! #B2022 #CommonwealthGames https://t.co/i6AHxR4Y9Y— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) August 3, 2022
Ariarne Titmus wins the women’s 400 freestyle in a time of 3:58.06 for a new Commonwealth Games Record! Summer McIntosh finishes second in a 3:59.32, also under the old record, while setting a new Junior World Record! #Birmingham22
— SwimSwam Live (@SwimSwamLive) August 3, 2022
During the sixth day of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Ariarne Titmus won the women’s 400 free in 3:58.06. This is the 4th fastest swim in her career and the 7th fastest performance of all time. Titmus and Katie Ledecky totally dominate the top 10 all-time performances list. pic.twitter.com/c7N5wMD0l4
— Swimming Stats (@SwimmingStats) August 3, 2022
Ariarne Titmus races are just a formality at this point. All she does is win 💚💛#CommonwealthGames2022
— Patrick Gray (@PatrickM_Gray) August 3, 2022
Summer McIntosh breaks the Aussie free hegemony with silver in the 400 free. Ariarne Titmus the class of the field of course for gold, Kiah Melverton gets bronze.
— pullbuoy (@pullbuoy) August 3, 2022
Titmus was already only the second Australian woman to have won back-to-back 800m events at the Commonwealth Games alongside Tracey Wickham.
Earlier on in the day, Australia's biggest gun Emma McKeon fired a final golden salute at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
McKeon won her sixth gold medal on the last night of competition at the Birmingham pool.
The dominant Dolphins collected 25 gold medals - three shy of the swim team's best-ever Games haul four years ago - 20 silver and 20 bronze in Birmingham.
with AAP
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