Kyle Chalmers caps off epic night for Aussies in 'out of this world' swim

Kyle Chalmers has has left Australian swimming fans beside themselves after an extraordinary display on Thursday night in Melbourne at the short course world championships. Chalmers and fellow Olympic champion Emma McKeon won their first individual world titles after claiming gold in both the men's and women's 100m freestyle events.

Despite owning 17 Olympic medals between them, neither McKeon nor Chalmers had previously won an individual world championship title at either short or long course until Thursday night. That all changed when McKeon blitzed the women's final with Siobhan Haughey from Hong Kong second and Dutch swimmer Marrit Steenbergen collecting the bronze medal.

WOW: Swimming world champs rocked by double disqualification drama

'INSANE': Emma McKeon makes history as Aussies break world record

'DISGUSTING': Swimming champ in ugly furore over medal photo

McKeon's former pop star boyfriend Cody Simpson was watching on and cheering her from the stands, with the pair sharing a lovely embrace after McKeon's sensational victory. Australia's most decorated Olympian stopped the clock in 50.77 seconds, touching 0.10 ahead of defending champion Haughey.

"It was a tight finish - I only just realised after the race but to get my hand on the wall first is all you really want," McKeon said. The reigning 50 and 100m Olympic champion, McKeon had already starred earlier at the meet with a blistering relay leg on Tuesday night which helped Australia win gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay in world record time.

Chalmers then made it a golden 100m freestyle double for Australia after flying home over the final lap to touch first in 45.16sec ahead of Maxime Grousset (45.41) and Alessandro Miressi (45.57). David Popovici, the 18-year-old long course world record holder, finished fourth in a new junior world record. Both Chalmers and McKeon set new championship records en route to their gold medals.

“It’s something that I’m so proud of,” Chalmers said of winning his first individual world title. “For me, it’s something that I’ve dreamt of doing since I was a kid. I had to pull out of the last three world short course championships due to injury and health issues. So for me to finally make it to one and stand on the top of the podium is something I’m gonna remember for the rest of my rest of my life.

Chalmers underwent shoulder surgery one year ago that had threatened to end his career. The 24-year-old was almost lost for words describing how much it means to be able to come back from it and claim the previously elusive world title.

“Tomorrow is one year to the day since I had shoulder surgery, which almost potentially ended my career," he added. "So for me to be back here and standing on top of the podium is always something very special.”

“Everyone faces challenges in their swimming career, and it’s about people who can rise above those challenges and continue to find ways to win, and I’m very proud of that one.”

Chalmers wasn't finished there, however, backing up his incredible individual swim to power Australia to gold two hours later in the 4x50m freestyle relay. Isaac Cooper led the Australian team out with Matt Temple and Flynn Southam following, before Chalmers hit the water in fifth spot.

Kyle Chalmers display leaves viewers in awe

In an anchor leg for the ages, the speed king mowed down the field with a split of 20.34, which was the fastest of the field. The extraordinary display from Chalmers sent social media into meltdown, with his swim described as "out of this world".

Australia won two other medals on day three with 20-year-old Thomas Neill surprising to win silver in the men's 400m freestyle behind American Keiran Smith while fellow young Queenslander Lizzie Dekkers trailed American Dakota Luther to claim bronze in the 200m butterfly.

As well as his relay gold Cooper, who won bronze in the 100m backstroke, shocked the 50m backstroke field and will go into the final as the fastest qualifier.

The 18-year-old was banished from the Commonwealth Games team for misusing prescription medication but has bounced back in style.

"It was really tough today as the fatigue is really setting in and in the warm-up pool I felt horrible," the Queenslander said. "I've known I've had that speed for a while and I'm glad I could execute."

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.