Mighty Mitch Larkin is four-some after 200m individual medley win gives him a fourth gold medal

MITCH Larkin has become Australia’s Superman of the pool with victory in the 200m individual medley — taking his tally to four individual gold medals in a history-setting run.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Mitch Larkin of Australia competes during the Men's 200m Individual Medley Final on day six of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Optus Aquatic Centre on April 10, 2018 on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

• Ariarne Titmus wins gold in 400m freestyle
• Emily Seebohm proves herself a champion after winning gold

MITCH Larkin has become Australia’s Superman of the pool, winning four individual and one team gold in a history-setting run.

Like mild-mannered Clark Kent, Larkin moves largely unnoticed through an Australian swim team dominated by big names such as Kyle Chalmers, Cate Campbell, Mack Horton and Emma McKeon.

But ended the meet as one of the most decorated swimmers in the Commonwealth.

Larkin became the first man to win the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke treble at the Commonwealth Games, gaining redemption for a poor world championship showing last year following a post-Olympic coaching switch.

Mitch Larkin touches first in the 200m IM for his fourth gold medal. Picture: AFP

And he added icing to the cake by snaring the 200m individual medley, beating squadmate Clyde Lewis to the wall in a Games record 1min 57.67sec.

Lewis had been expected to be Larkin’s kryptonite.

While he was a medley swimmer in his youth before turning to the backstroke, Larkin was expected to struggle against Lewis, who won the 400m medley but had been concentrating on the shorter event.

“You enter any event wearing the green and gold and you want to do your country proud,” Larkin said.

“I train alongside this guy (Clyde Lewis) every day and he’s an awesome trainer.

Mitch Larkin (right) celebrates with Clyde Lewis. Picture: Getty Images

“Honestly, I thought Clydie might get up on me. He’s got a much better breaststroke for me so I’m pretty surprised by that.

“Awesome for both of us.”

As expected, Larkin snatched the lead following the backstroke leg but when Lewis came back at him in the breaststroke, it seemed the man named after the orang-utan in the Clint Eastwood film Any Which Way But Loose would swamp his mate.

In the end, it was a Great Scot Larkin had to hold off.

Duncan Scott had already caused one upset at this Games when he touched Kyle Chalmers out in the 100m freestyle and it seemed he would do it again as he stormed down the final 50m.

Mitch Larkin just keeps winning — and might not be done yet. Picture: Getty Images

But Larkin has had the Midas touch this Games and continued his golden run.

While the likes of Cate Campbell, Kyle Chalmers, Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus will finish the meet with multiple gold, it is Larkin that will emerge from the pool as Australia’s most decorated swimmer at these Games.

The 24-year-old, whose partner Emily Seebohm won gold in the 50m backstroke just moments before Larkin hit the water, is hot favourite to extend his tally to five when he leads off Australia’s medley relay in the final event in the pool.

Australia extended its gold tally to 24 after Lakeisha Patterson won the S8 50m freestyle.

The triumph gives Patterson a second gold medal at the Gold Coast Games, following her victory in the S9 100m freestyle. Patterson’s teammate Tiffany Thomas Kane finished fourth.

Originally published as Mighty Mitch Larkin is four-some after 200m individual medley win gives him a fourth gold medal