Kyle Chalmers puts world on notice in huge Aussie swimming statement

Kyle Chalmers has cemented his status as Australia's freestyle sprint king after powering home to win the 100m freestyle on an action-packed final night at the Australian swimming championships on Thursday night. Chalmers brushed aside any lingering doubts he may have had around his troublesome shoulder by holding off two of the country's rising stars to claim the national title on the Gold Coast.

A gold medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games, Chalmers says he is feeling the best he has mentally and physically since that historic moment in Rio. On Thursday night, the 24-year-old won the national 100m freestyle title after touching in 48.00 to hold off the challenge of teenagers Kai Taylor (48.41) and Flynn Southam (48.53).

'SAD TO SEE': Tennis world rocked by Rafa Nadal announcement

'HE'S BACK': David Warner's incredible response after recent furore

Chalmers let his younger rivals know that he's ready to lead them on a journey towards the Paris Games next year, responding in style to his "shock" result in the morning heats when his swim was half a second behind fastest qualifier Taylor. Chalmers was quick out of the blocks and found another gear over the final 50 metres reaffirm his status as top dog.

The Olympic great has had two surgeries on his troublesome shoulder but says he is feeler better than he has in years, in an ominous warning to his rivals ahead of the Paris Games. “The body’s the best it’s been since probably 2020,” he said after the 100m freestyle final.

“(That) was when I had shoulder problems, in March 2020, so I’ve had two shoulder surgeries since then... I’m always going to be in a little bit of pain but they’re feeling the best they have in a really long time and I think my mind is probably the best it’s felt since 2016.

Chalmers admitted his current physical state is worlds apart from what he's experienced over the last few years, when even basic everyday activities caused him discomfort. “It’s so much easier. It’s just so much fun, more manageable,” Chalmers said.

“Driving hurt me, sleeping hurt me, brushing my teeth, eating, all those things you take for granted. When you don’t have to worry about that you can dive into the pool and feel good, it just makes you so much happier, it makes training so much more enjoyable and going to the pool a whole lot more fun again.”

The 24-year-old says he is excited by the younger brigade snapping at his heels, with Taylor winning the 200m freestyle final in Chalmers’ absence and 17-year-old Queensland star Southam providing strong competition that Chalmers insists will be beneficial to everyone. “I absolutely love it,” he enthused about Aussie swimming's next generation.

“I’m competitive but I love relays. So I know that I have to have these young kids coming through to create that team success next year (at the Olympics) and relays are realistically your best chance of getting a medal, so I know that if I have guys around me that can perform on the day, it gives me a chance to win more Olympic medals.

“So I’m loving having these young kids come through and as much wisdom and guidance I can give them, the better I think. I spend a lot of time with Flynn and Kai’s obviously coming through – and I loved racing against him (in the heats) and him swimming over the top of me, I love that, it gives me something to chase and keeps me motivated and hungry. And I know we’re gonna push each other over this next year and do something special next year.”

Mollie O'Callaghan completes national freestyle double

Elsewhere, World champion Mollie O'Callaghan claimed the women's 200m freestyle crown in a time of 1:55.15, ahead of Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus (1:55.28) and Shayna Jack (1:55.37). Queenslander O'Callaghan added to her last gasp win over Jack in the 100m and her personal best times in the 50 and 100m backstroke to wrap up a massively successful meet.

In the women's 200m backstroke, 16-year-old Brisbane schoolgirl Jaclyn Barclay (2:11.50) lunged at the wall to take her maiden open title from Hannah Fredericks (2:11.72) and Jenna Forrester (2:11.95). Dual Olympian Brianna Throssell added the 100m butterfly to her 50m 'fly win, touching in 57.57 to pip Alexandria Perkins (57.64) and Kayla Costa (59.37).

Matt Temple won the 200m butterfly in 1:56.96, while Olympic bronze medallist Brendon Smith snatched the 400IM title from Tokyo teammate Se-Bom Lee. Tokyo Olympic finalist Madeleine Gough won the 1500m freestyle in 16:08.76.

The final night began with a second world record swim from Paralympian Timothy Hodge, who lowered his own record 200m IM mark set in Melbourne earlier in the year and then again on Thursday morning. The 20-year-old from Sydney clocked 2min 12.06sec and was later named in the 32-strong team for this year's Para World Championships in July-August in Manchester.

with AAP

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.