Mollie O’Callaghan stuns in 100m final at Australian swim trials

Mollie O’Callaghan has opened up on the difficulties she faced in recent months after powering to a blistering time in the 100m final at the Australian swim trials.

Champion swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan has made a major statement with a spectacular time in the 100m freestyle final of the Australian trials.

The 21-year-old, who won Olympic gold in Paris for the 200m freestyle and finished fourth in the 100m race, was unstoppable as she swam a time of 52.87 seconds to add to her Singapore World Championships schedule.

She was happy with her swim despite a challenging period of preparation.

“This is probably my fourth 100m of the season for freestyle and it was definitely a tough one,” she said.

“I probably have to be a bit nicer on myself to get to this point.

“I think when you’re at your weakest it’s always worth it to step up.”

O’Callaghan had experienced a challenging time after Paris and leading into the trials, revealing she struggled with her mental health after coming down from the highs of the Olympics.

Mollie O’Callaghan on her way to a blistering time in the 100m final.

“I’ve had a rough past couple months, it was really stressful for me,” she said.

“There hasn’t been anything as hard as this, coming back and trying to race after the Olympics.

“I have had a lot of pressure on myself to get to this point and to make the team, especially in the 200 freestyle — I put a lot of pressure on myself.

“Externally, people expect a lot of me but they don’t see the work that goes behind it and what I’ve been through.”

The 100m result is O’Callaghan’s second major triumph at the trials after she also took out the 200m freestyle final with an impressive 1:54.43 time, ahead of St Peters Western squad mate Lani Pallister in second.

With the weight of making the team for the World Championships now off of her shoulders, O’Callaghan said she was looking forward to enjoying herself in Singapore alongside her teammates.

“Dean (Boxall) and I have spoken about it this year, there have been some curveballs thrown at me but it’s now about having fun,” she said.

“I think making the team and having that pressure taken off, just to go race, meet new people, enjoy myself and train alongside my buddies in this team – that’s the whole purpose of this.”

STUBBELTY-COOK AIMS HIGHER AFTER TRIALS BLITZ

Paris Olympics silver medallist Zac Stubblety-Cook said his best swim was still in him after booking a spot in next month’s World Championships with a strong 200m breaststroke swim in the Australian trials final.

The 26-year-old, who in the lead up to the trials had still been recovering from setbacks stemming from a neck fracture suffered before the 2024 Olympics, produced a dominant display to take first place with ease in Adelaide.

Now training under renowned breaststroke coach Mel Marshall, Stubblety-Cook said he was feeling as confident as ever ahead of next month’s world champs.

“I’m reasonably happy with the performance,” he said.

“Mel and I just wanted to step through this, so I can’t really complain — there is a lot of work to do in the next five weeks for Singapore.

Zac Stubblety-Cook during the final.

“To get back on the team and move toward the World Championships is really exciting and I think I’m a lot more confident.”

Stubblety-Cook said he had evolved significantly since beginning training with Marshall ahead of the national trials.

Not only have his injuries improved, but believed he had also improved psychologically with his ability to remain calm and composed ahead of competition.

“We’re doing a few different things under her (Mel), she’s been really good at managing the injury I’ve had…I wouldn’t be here without her.

“I think the last eight years, I’ve been that younger and hungry athlete but last year I had some time to reflect and figure out my approach and what I wanted to commit to for the next four years.

“The way Mel put it to me, you go from being capable and hungry but mentally not knowing how to do it, then you swap that over and you start thinking about and trusting the process more.

“For me, my best swim is still in me, so I’m still chasing that and I think that’s the goal over the next three years, and just to get better and better each year.”

Sam Short in the water at the Paris Olympics.

SHORT STAMPS HIS AUTHORITY TO HOLD OFF RISING STAR

Rejuvenated swimmer Sam Short has added to a strong showing in the Australian trials ahead of the July World Championships with a narrow 1500m freestyle final win.

The 21-year-old just finished ahead of emerging young gun Ben Goedemans with a 14:53.43 time, with Goedemans settling for second at 14:53.99.

With multiple personal bests and the 400m final win already under his belt, Short’s triumph on Friday night in Adelaide only adds to his bragging rights.

“I felt really good until the last 500 metres and then just went downhill a bit physically,” he said.

“I just wanted to get my hand on the wall first so I’m happy I did...I have a lot to improve on for the World Championships.”

For Goedemans, his performance also adds to what has been a rewarding national trials, the St Peters Western swimmer already fulfilling his dream of making a senior Dolphins team with his win in the 800m freestyle.

He said he had experienced major improvements under Dean Boxall.

“I was definitely after a race like that after some personal bests at nationals,” he said.

“Dean has really helped me, I wasn’t this fast before being under him.”

Originally published as Mollie O’Callaghan stuns in 100m final at Australian swim trials