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Fukuoka: Mollie O’Callaghan has become the first woman in history to win the 100m and 200m freestyle double at the same swimming world championships.
The Australian’s remarkable world championships got even better on Friday evening when she claimed her fourth gold medal in Fukuoka with a victory over teammate Emma McKeon in the 100m freestyle.
After mowing down Ariarne Titmus in the dying stages of the women’s 200m freestyle two nights previously, O’Callaghan turned in seventh place at the 50-metre mark, just like Kyle Chalmers did in the men’s race on Thursday night.
The reigning world champion clocked an eye-catching second split of 26.41 seconds to touch the wall in 52.16. It was just outside the personal best of 52.08 she set in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay final on Sunday.
Hong Kong’s Siobhan Bernadette Haughey finished second (52.49), ahead of Marrit Steenbergen (52.71) from the Netherlands.
McKeon (52.83) missed out on her 20th career world championships medal with a fifth-place finish. It was Australia’s 10th gold medal of the program.
Mollie O’Callaghan celebrates winning gold in the 100m freestyle final.Credit: Getty
O’Callaghan’s four gold medals at these world championships is the second most in history by an Australian female. Libby Trickett picked up five golds medals in 2007 after victories in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 4x100m freestyle relay and 4x100m medley relay.
O’Callaghan could feature in two more relays – the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay on Saturday night, plus the 4x100m medley relay on Sunday. Ian Thorpe is the only Australian to win six gold medals at the same world championships.
More to come
Watch the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka live on Channel Nine & 9Now.
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