Commonwealth Games golden girl Ariarne Titmus recalls falling in love with swimming as a child

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games golden girl Ariarne Titmus knew instantly she was born to be a swimmer when she plunged into a Launceston pool for the first time while at primary school.

Ariarne Titmus of St Peters Western after swimming in the 400m freestyle. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Commonwealth Games golden girl Ariarne Titmus knew instantly she was born to be a swimmer when she plunged into a Launceston pool for the first time while at primary school.

“I remember we did school swimming and I thought, you know, I really like swimming,’’ the St Peters Luthern College student recalled.

“I was seven so I went and signed up (for club) and started training, racing, and got into it.’’

Now Titmus, who swims at St Peters Western, has two individual gold and one silver medal to reflect upon after lighting up the aquatic centre pool at the Commonwealth Games.

Her Games record 400m time of 4:00.93 on Tuesday night was particularly impressive, smashing her personal best and taking her closer to the aim of swimming under four minutes.

Titmus’ 200m silver medal effort was also world class, despite her not winning.

Leading into the Games Titmus had been clambering over personal best milestones at a rate of knots.

It was when she was aged 13 that Titmus had her first breakthrough swim at the national age titles, in the 200m freestyle.

“I thought: “I can actually have a little go at this’’’.

“I was only 13 and I was just getting into it nationally. And I would joke around saying wouldn’t it (swimming for Australia) be great. “I continued training all the way through. It has gone quickly and here I am representing Australia.’’

Titmus, who has been inspired by US swimming great Katie Ledecky, has been carving time off her 400m personal best since competing at the world juniors aged 14.

But it was at last year’s nationals, under the coaching of Dean Boxall, when she went sub 4:04.

“At the nationals last year I went 4:04 and that was a really big turning point. I had a lot more belief (after that),’’ Titmus said.

“And I have kept on improving.’’