‘Goosebumps’: Teen freak smashes Ariarne Titmus’ world record

A sixteen-year-old “once in a generation” superstar has left the swimming world stunned after smashing Ariarne Titmus’ world record.

Summer McIntosh is a freak. Photo: Twitter, Lukas Weese.

Teen freak Summer McIntosh has left the swimming world lost for words after smashing Ariarne Titmus’ world record on Wednesday morning.

The 16-year-old obliterated her opposition in the 400m freestyle at the Canadian Swimming Trials in Toronto, grabbing her first world record in the process.

McIntosh clocked 3min 56.08sec to break Titmus’ time of 3:56.40 — which she set at the Australian Championships in Adelaide on May 22 of last year.

Titmus’ swim at the time broke American Katie Ledecky’s six-year-old world mark of 3:56.46 set at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The world is going to watch something special when Ariarne Titmus, Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh face off. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Coming into the meet, McIntosh was the fourth-fastest performer ever in the event behind Titmus, Ledecky and Italian Federica Pellegrini.

She had clocked 3:59.32 to finish second to Titmus at the Commonwealth Games last year in Birmingham.

McIntosh was also the silver medalist behind Ledecky at the 2022 World Championships, where she broke the four-minute barrier for the first time in the event.

McIntosh also won gold in the 200m butterfly and 400m medley at the World Championships last year.

“I’m not a crier but this world record, I didn’t think this was possible tonight,” McIntosh told CBC Sports.

“It’s absolutely incredible. I’m not an emotional person. But I was hit with so much emotion. Pure euphoria right now.

Summer McIntosh is a freak. Photo: Twitter, Lukas Weese.

“Over the past few years I’ve put my life into this. To be the best I can be. To achieve something like this, it was very unexpected. It was never in my dreams to do this tonight or even a few years ago. This just blows my mind.”

Titmus’ task of beating McIntosh in the Paris pool at the 2024 Olympics seems to be getting more difficult by the day.

The Canadian’s rise has also set up one of the greatest swimming showdowns in recent Olympic history with Ledecky, McIntosh and Titmus all gunning for gold.

Right now, McIntosh is suddenly the gold medal favourite.

CBC Olympics reporter Devin Heroux described McIntosh as “a once in a generation athlete”.

“What an extraordinary evening here as Summer McIntosh sets the world record in the 400m freestyle,” he posted on Twitter.

“She’s incredible. Special Canadian sporting moment. I have goosebumps.”

He revealed McIntosh and her coach Brent Arckey were in tears after the race.

A rare show of emotion from the normally stoic Summer McIntosh.

She just told me “I’m not a crier but this world record. I didn’t think this was possible tonight.”

I have goosebumps. The 16-year-old swimming sensation just took down the 400m freestyle world record. pic.twitter.com/5F79O1I7JM

— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) March 29, 2023

WAKE UP SWIMMING TWITTER!!

Summer McIntosh just broke the WORLD RECORD in the 400 freestyle with a 3:56.08 at the 2023 Canadian Swimming Trials 🥶 pic.twitter.com/TKmKSuUtCL

— Kyle Sockwell (@kylesockwell) March 29, 2023

Former Canadian Olympic swimmer Brittany Maclean said she was “still speechless” after watching McIntosh’s performance.

“I’m stunned. There are no words,” she said.

“I can’t fathom it.”

McIntosh’s head coach Brent Arckey was lost for words at his pupil’s accomplishment.

“I’m not really sure what to say right now,” Arckey said.

“I’m trying to hold it all in. But celebrating her. This is a special thing.

“I’ve seen her do some really special stuff in practice. I’m just super proud of her. She’s one of the best racers I’ve ever seen.”

Originally published as ‘Goosebumps’: Teen freak smashes Ariarne Titmus’ world record