Emma McKeon and Kyle Chalmers have kept the gold rush coming for Australia, claiming their maiden individual world titles at the world short course swimming championships.
The duo have won Olympic gold medals in the 100m freestyle but had never stood on the top of the podium in the blue riband event at a world championships.
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That all changed on the third night of action in Melbourne on Thursday night when McKeon won the 100m freestyle in 50.77sec ahead of Siobhan Haugey and Marrit Steenbergen.
McKeon didn’t have it all way and needed every bit of her experience to edge out Haughey, just as she did at the Tokyo Olympics, by a tenth of a second.
It was a special moment for McKeon with her family in the stands.
After touching the wall first, she gave a wave to boyfriend Cody Simpson and gave him a hug on pool deck after collecting her gold medal.
It’s McKeon’s second gold medal of the meet after she anchored the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay to a world record with a blistering split on the opening night of action.
In the men’s 100m freestyle, Chalmers flew 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.
“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.
“The reason I’m in the sport is to have success and to execute on the big stage is something that I pride myself in doing.”
Chalmers’ battered body is falling apart with every passing year, so he was thrilled to maintain his crown as the sprint king of men’s freestyle.
“Tomorrow is one year to the day since I had shoulder surgery, which almost potentially ended my career.
“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.”
Both McKeon and Chalmers set new championship records en route go gold.
Two hours later, Chalmers motored home to lead Australia to a come-from-behind win in the men’s 4x50m freestyle relay. His split of 20.34 was the fastest of the field.
After three days of action, Australia has 16 medals including eight gold.
In other events, Australia’s Tommy Neil smashed his personal best to claim silver in the 400m freestyle (3:35.05) behind the USA’s Kieran Smith. Mack Horton finished sixth.
Australia’s Isaac Cooper set a new junior world record (22.52sec) to qualify fastest for the 50m backstroke final ahead of American superstar Ryan Murphy.
Cooper won a surprise bronze medal in the 100m backstroke on Wednesday and is making a stunning return to the Australian team after he was sent home from Europe before the Commonwealth Games for disciplinary reasons.
The 18-year-old is setting new personal bests every time he gets in the water and has emerged as a breakout star of the Dolphins team alongside Lani Pallister.
Mollie O’Callaghan qualified third fastest into the 50m backstroke final, while 100m champion Kaylee McKeown was ninth, just missing out.
