Ariarne Titmus shatters WR in ‘greatest race of all time’ against Mollie O’Callaghan

Ariarne Titmus has shattered the 200m freestyle record in one of the best match races of all time at the Aussie trials against Mollie O’Callaghan.

Ariarne Titmus obliterated the 200m freestyle world record. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan have both shattered the 200m freestyle world record, but the mark now belongs to Titmus after she pipped her club teammate at the Australian swimming trials.

In a lightning fast showdown between the world and Olympic champions, the duo went stroke for stroke down the final lap and Titmus touched in 1:52.33, ahead of O’Callaghan’s 1.52.48.

Both swimmers obliterated O’Callaghan’s previous world record of 1:52.85 set at last year’s world titles in Japan where she upset Titmus.

“One of the greatest races of all time and Ariarne’s got the world record back,” Nine commentator Mat Thompson said.

“She might be the best we’ve ever had. She’s got a chance to come back from Paris as Australia’s greatest ever swimmer.”

Watch Titmus and O’Callaghan both break the WR in the video above

Ariarne Titmus obliterated the 200m freestyle world record. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Giaan Rooney added: “I’m speechless. I’m speechless, 0.62 off the world record that was only broken last year.”

“You can see how disappointed Mollie is, but you can see how much Ariarne Titmus wanted that world record,” Ian Thorpe added.

“I just think that this field is so hotly contested, Mollie and I have to put our best foot forward to make the team for this relay,” Titmus said.

“I’m really happy to finally record a swim in the 200 that my times in training reflects.”

O’Callaghan said: “I think it’s amazing, we push each other to the best of our limits.

“It really shows how hard we train.”

It’s not every day you see the world record broken twice in the same race. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Lani Pallister was third (1:55.57), Brianna Throssell fourth (1:55.74) and Shayna Jack and Jamie Perkins tied for fifth (1:56.22), booking their spot for the 4x200m freestyle relay.

The Aussies will be red hot favourites for relay gold in Paris after claiming bronze behind China and the USA in Tokyo.

Titmus, O’Callaghan, Throssell, Jack and Perkins all train under coach Dean Boxall, who juggled warming them up in the same lane at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre ahead of the final.

St Peters Western teammates Titmus, O’Callaghan, Throssell and Jack broke the 4x200m freestyle relay last year at the world titles.

Titmus is on fire. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP.

“I’m exhausted, let alone the swimmers. What a great race,” Titmus’ dad Steve said.

“Honestly this is a moment in life to go through what we’ve witnessed here.

“This is just one of the great moments in life, fantastic.”

Mum Robyn said: “What is so special is both those girls went under what was the world record for so many years in the super suit.

“To produce those times as teammates is absolutely unbelievable and you know what, Paris, bring it on, the Aussies are coming.”

Titmus now holds both the 200m and 400m freestyle world records. She scared her own 400m freestyle world record on the opening night of trials and will look to add the 800m to her program later in the week.

O’Callaghan also qualified in the 100m backstroke with a slick sub 58-second time and would be a genuine medal chance in Paris, but she’s unsure if she’ll swim the event in Paris due to her packed program.

Cam McEvoy is off to his fourth Olympics. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Cameron McEvoy, 30, won the 50m freestyle in 21.35 to become the first Australian male swimmer to go to four Olympics.

Australia has never won a medal of any colour in the men’s 50m freestyle at the Olympics.

Ben Armbruster also snuck under the qualifying time in 21.84 to secure a maiden Olympic berth.

Elijah Winnington (7:44.90) dipped under the qualifying time in the 800m freestyle, while Sam Short (7:46.52) was just outside but will get to swim the event in Paris after qualifying in the 400m.

Originally published as Ariarne Titmus shatters WR in ‘greatest race of all time’ against Mollie O’Callaghan