Lani Pallister makes more swimming history after stunning takedown of Ariarne Titmus at worlds

Aussie swimming star Lani Pallister has won gold in the 800m freestyle at the short course world championships in Budapest, smashing the championship record just 24 hours after taking Ariarne Titmus' national record in the 400m. Pallister swum a blistering time of 8:01.95 on Wednesday night to set a new championship, national and Oceania record, ahead of Isabel Gose (8:05.42) and Katie Grimes (8:05.90).

After withdrawing from the 100m heats earlier in the day, the 22-year-old Pallister was fresh and fast to defend the 800m title she won in Melbourne in 2022. It came just 24 hours after she grabbed silver in the 400m free and women's 4x100m free relay.

Butterflyer Alex Perkins grabbed a 50m bronze on Wednesday night to send Australia to fourth on the medal table. Perkins set her second PB of the meet, with her 24.68 also a national and Oceania record.

Lani Pallister's stunning display amid news about Dawn Fraser

Pallister had a disrupted preparation for the meet in Budapest after finding out her godmother and swimming icon Dawn Fraser had injured herself in a fall. Pallister was a star at the 2022 event having taken home four gold in Melbourne. And the 22-year-old backed up her form by taking down Titmus' 400m short course record with a time of 3.53:73 on Tuesday night.

While this would normally be enough to defend her gold, she was still a body length behind Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh, with the 18-year-old breaking the world record with a tine of 3.50:25. She also took home $39,000 with the gold medal.

McIntosh finished behind Titmus in the 400m at the Paris Olympics earlier this year, but was way too strong in Budapest having led from lap one. Pallister finished in second in front of Canada's Mary-Sophie Harvey.

Pallister's feat is more impressive considering the disruption to her week after finding out Fraser had fallen and broken four ribs at the age of 87. Fraser was in Melbourne to hand Pallister her gold medals at the short course championships last time.

Unfortunately, Pallister was only able to release a joint statement, along with her mother Janelle who is in Budapest as a coach, as they wished Fraser a quick recovery having expressed their "deep heartfelt concern for Dawn's recent incident". "Hearing about her fall has been both stressful and frightening, given the relationship we share," they said.

"Dawn is not just an extraordinary athlete and icon, she is an incredibly special part of our life, and her wellbeing is always in our thoughts, regardless of any injury or illness she may face. We are relieved to hear that she is doing well and is receiving the care she needs from her family and the hospital staff."

Fraser is considered one of the greatest swimmers of all time. The Australian won gold in the 100m freestyle at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Games. She became the first athlete to win a gold medal in the same event at three Olympic Games.

Lani Pallister collects two silver at world championships

Pallister then added another silver to her 2024 tally having powered Australia to second place in the women's 4x100m freestyle behind the USA. She was joined by Meg Harris, Milla Jansen and Alexandria Perkins with the girls moving from fourth to second to finish.

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The pool in Budapest is considered a fast pool and records tumbled on day one at the world championships. American Kate Douglas won the 200m women's individual medley, while Swiss Noe Ponti won the men's 50m butterfly in record times.

Incredibly, all the hype was around 15-year-old swimmer Gretchen Walsh. The teen broke a 15-year record in the women's 50m butterfly in the heats. She then backed it up and broke it against in the semi-final. Walsh is now favourite for the final and has already taken home $78,000 for her efforts on day one.