Tokyo Olympics 2021: Ariarne Titmus beats Katie Ledecky in the 200m freestyle

Ariarne Titmus let her emotions run free as she set a new Olympic record for the 200m freestyle, besting fierce rival and US star Katie Ledecky once again in Tokyo.

Australia’s Ariarne Titmus has won her second gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Just two days after her stunning win over Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle final, Titmus has added the 200m gold.

But boy did she have to work hard for it.

Third with one lap to go, Titmus dug deep and clawed her way to the front to win the gold in 1:53.50, a new Olympic record.

“It hasn’t really set in after the 400m,” Titmus said. “I just had to forget about to prepare for this race.”

Ariarne Titmus celebrates her second gold medal win. Picture: Adam Head

Ledecky, swimming in the lane next to the Aussie, could not go with her rival when the speed quickened and finished fifth.

Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey won the silver medal in 1:53.92 after leading at the 150m mark while the bronze medal went to Canada’s Penny Oleksiak, the 10m champion in Rio.

“I knew I had Katie (Ledecky) covered but Siobhan (Haughey) was the person that was there,” Titmus told Channel 7 after the race.

“I felt a little bit – my legs started to go a bit but I’m happy to get it done.

“I don’t think it will settle in until I get home and have a rest.

“I mean, when you’re in this situation you kind of – like, you have to compartmentalise everything and I think once I stop racing I can release everything.

“I don’t want to ruin the rest of my meet by celebrating too hard but I’m very proud of what

I’ve achieved.

“I feel so fortunate to be here, to be able to do what I love and I’m just from a small town in Tasmania and just goes to show if you believe you believe you can do something you can 100% do it if you work for it.”

Her mother, Robyn Titmus, was over the moon.

They’re different races,” Robyn told Channel 7.

Ariarne Titmus poses with her latest gold medal. Picture Getty Images

Steve and Robyn Titmus with family and friends celebrate Ariarne’s Olympic 200m freestyle win at Noosa. Picture: Lachie Millard

“You know, this is so tight and she always comes home strong. Us Aussies, we’ve got swimmers that leave it to the last few metres before they touch the wall first.

“Honestly, we were nearly having a heart attack.”

Titmus is just the third Australian to win the 200m and 400m double at an Olympic Games, joining Shane Gould and Ian Thorpe in that feat.

Titmus’ grandmother Sandra said she couldn't control her nerves during the race.

There were certainly a lot of butterflies,” Sandra told Channel 7.

“I wasn’t so concerned before the four but when it came to the two today, I thought it’s a shorter race, can she make up enough time and come back home very fast to win it but she did it.

Ariarne Titmus in action during the final. Picture: Adam Head

“What a way she did it. Absolutely fantastic race. We’re so very proud.

It has been amazing for both Kevin and I.

“We are so grateful that we could be here with all these lovely people to celebrate with so many.”

Sandra said it had been difficult watching her family move away to chase Titmus’ Olympic dream but the pay-off had been worth it.

“We said, ‘for her future, they’ve got to do it’, she said.

“Well, it’s paid off, hasn’t it? Well and truly?”

Thorpe was glowing of Titmus in his commentary on Channel 7.

“Just goes to show Ariarne Titmus and her composure,” Thorpe said.

“We have a saying that is ‘trust the process’ (and) it is when you’re training and really trust the training and the program that your coach has set for you and the race plan that you have and sticking to the plan.

“To be so composed when someone is chasing right next to you. Stick to the plan, execute.”

Titmus is now 2-0 in her head to head battle with Ledecky for the title of the world’s best female swimmer but with the American strongly favoured to win the 1500m later today, and the 800m later this week, the decider could be Thursday’s 4x200m relay, which Australia is odds on to win.

Australia’s swimmers have already won four gold medals in four days in Tokyo – matching the combined total from the Rio and London Olympics.

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Originally published as Tokyo Olympics 2021: Ariarne Titmus beats Katie Ledecky in the 200m freestyle