'Should've been better': Ariarne Titmus' tough admission after epic race

Australia finished third in a thrilling women's 4x200m relay in Tokyo after a remarkable swim from China, but Ariarne Titmus felt she could have done more in the opening leg.

Following stellar performances from Zac Stubblety-Cook and Kyle Chalmers earlier in the day, the relay team sought to pick up Australia's third swimming medal of the day - and they didn't disappoint.

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Lead-off stars Titmus and Emma McKeown powered through the first half of the race, putting the team nearly a body-length ahead of the world record time, which was set by Australia back in 2019.

But individual 200m gold medalist Titmus, who has been the Aussie star of the pool so far in Tokyo, touched in behind China's Xhang Junxuan in her first leg.

Many felt Titmus would give Australia the lead before McKeown jumped in due to her Olympic Record a day earlier.

However, after such a tough week in the pool, Titmus was feeling the rigours of the Olympic schedule.

Madison Wilson and Leah Neale put in strong swims for Australia in the second half of the race, but they were unable to reel in China.

And a strong swim from America's Katie Ledecky saw Australia grab bronze.

Following the race, Titmus was thrilled to be on the podium with her team.

However, the two-time gold medalist was critical of her performance.

"It was really fast, we were under our previous World Record, it was a solid swim from us," she said on Channel 7.

"I would have liked to have done more for the team, I feel like I should have been better, but it's what I could do on the day and it's been a big couple of days.

"Happy to come away on the podium."

Incredible women's 4x200m race in Tokyo

But McKeown and Titmus both pointed out they broke the previous World Record, which still wasn't enough on the night.

Impressively, all three podium finished bested the previous world record time - but it was China would were able to hold on for gold, with Ledecky carrying the Americans to silver and Australia taking bronze.

It was China's first gold medal in the event.

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