Swimming world championships results: Kyle Chalmers reigns supreme in dog fight
Australian star Kyle Chalmers will head to the Paris Olympics as the world champion, completing his gold medal collection after claiming an elusive title in Fukuoka.
The coronation of King Kyle is complete.
Already Australia’s champion since he won the hearts of his country when he took Olympic gold medal at Rio in 2016, Kyle Chalmers is now the worlds champion after his stunning victory in the men’s 100m freestyle at Fukuoka on Thursday.
The one major title to have eluded him during his incredible career - Chalmers now has the full set: Olympic gold, Commonwealth Games gold, world short-course gold and now world championships gold.
If not for injuries, Chalmers probably would have completed his full set of medals earlier, but his ability to overcome any obstacles that is put in front of him, makes his feat all the more remarkable.
Against a strong field, that included world record holder David Popovici, Chalmers stormed home over the last lap to win the gold in 47.15 seconds.
This was as sweet as it gets and he celebrated the way he should: flexing his muscles and soaking up all in the applause and admiration he deserves.
“I feel awesome,” Chalmers said.
“That was the last medal that to complete the set in my swimming career to it feels great to do that against such a stacked field.”
Although he sometimes makes it look like he’s going for a leisurely dip, elite freestyle sprint is one the most cutthroat, high-pressure events in the pool.
Standing 1.94m tall and packed with muscles that are covered in tattoos, Chalmers is an imposing figure but he feels the pressure like everyone else.
The 25-year-old has been very open about the mental health issues he’s faced that almost made him quit the sport.
All Australians who love their sport will be glad he didn’t.
He’s been an immense force in the relays for years - winning a stack of gold medals for his country with his scorching anchor legs - but this was one for him.
“It’s very special. I think it’s one I’ve been wanting for quite some time,” Chalmers said.
“I’ve never felt better in a race.
“There was a lot of pressure and expectation coming in but I’ve never felt calmer.
“I love a race and I love a dog fight.”
KING KYLE’S FULL SET OF 100M FREESTYLE GOLD MEDALS
Olympic champion - Rio de Janeiro, 2016
Commonwealth Games - Birmingham, 2022
World short-course - Melbourne 2022
World champion - Fukuoka, 2023
“NOT KNOWN AS A SPRINTER”: MCKEOWN CASUALLY CLAIMS MORE GOLD
Australia’s Kaylee McKeown has won her second gold medal at the world swimming championships, adding the 50m backstroke title to the 100m she won earlier in Japan.
Normally better at longer distances, McKeown won her first international 50m gold medal since the 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina.
McKeown still has the 200m backstroke to come - which is her strongest event - plus the medley relay so could come away from Fukuoka with four medals.
She might have had a fifth but was controversially disqualified from the 200m individual medley.
RISING STAR CLAIMS SILVER TO SNAP 14 YEAR AUSSIE DROUGHT
Rising Australian swim star Lizzie Dekkers has won a silver medal at the world championships in Japan, ending a 14 year drought, after a courageous performance.
The 19-year-old from Queensland flashed ghome from fifth place at the halfway mark to finish second in the women’s 200m butterfly behind Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh.
Crowned Commonwealth Games champion last year, Dekkers became the first Australian to win a medal in 200m butterfly at the world championships since Jessicah Schipper won gold at Rome in 2009.
“I really wanted to medal and I’m very happy that I could do it.“I wanted to race the girls, it’s a pretty incredible field so really happy.”
O’CALLAGHAN, MCKEON IN BOX SEAT FOR MORE GOLD
Mollie O’Callaghan and Emma McKeon have booked their places in Friday’s 100m freestyle final at the world swimming championships in Japan.
Twenty-four hours after she broke the 200m world record, O’Callaghan won her semi-final to qualify second fastest overall, but was saving her energy because she has a relay to swim later on Thursday.
McKeon, the Olympic champion, was also relaxed in posting the fourth fastest time.
The two Aussies teamed up to win gold in the 4x100m relay on Sunday and will be heavily favoured to medal again in the individual event.
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