Mollie O’Callaghan sets a world record at the swimming worlds and overcomes injury
FUKUOKA, Japan — Australian swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan picked up a knee injury about five weeks ago, described as anything from a dislocation to a simple tweak. She said it slowed her some in practice, and modified her training schedule.
But heck, what’s a little injury matter.
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The 19-year-old O’Callaghan broke the world record on Wednesday in the 200-meter freestyle at the world championships, clocking 1 minute, 52.85 seconds to erase Federica Pellegrini’s mark of 1:52.98 — the oldest women’s record set in 2009 in the fast-suit era.
“I’m just really shocked,” O’Callaghan said. “I was just expecting to have fun tonight and whatever I did I was going to be really happy. To come away with a world record is just amazing.”
She also picked up a check for $30,000, which goes to any record setter at this year’s worlds.
O’Callaghan overtook Australian teammate Ariarne Titmus — she set a world record in the 400 free on Sunday — in the final 20 meters. Titmus finished in in 1:53.01 and 16-year-old Summer McIntosh of Canada took bronze in 1:53.65.
Here’s what O’Callaghan said she told herself over the last 50.
“Right now I just need to go. I don’t care how hard it is or if it hurts. I’m just going to push and if I come last and completely die, then that’s all right. At least I gave it a crack,” she said.
It took O’Callaghan a few minutes after the race to compose herself and digest the moment.
“I was a wreck afterwards,” she said. “I couldn’t really explain it — those tears of happiness, very mixed emotions. I’m just so proud of myself to do that. It was just such an unexpected moment.”
Titmus did not hold back.
“To be completely honest, I wanted to win that,” the 22-year-old Titmus said. “I thought I had a great swim in me — and that was a great swim. If not winning, it’s great to have someone from Australia on top of the podium.”