Kyle Chalmers masterclass to claim 100m freestyle World Championship crown

Australian sensation Kyle Chalmers has added the one medal that has eluded him his entire career in trademark fashion on Thursday.

FUKUOKA, JAPAN – JULY 27: Kyle Chalmers of Team Australia celebrates winning gold in the Men's 100m Freestyle Final on day five of the Fukuoka 2023 World Aquatics Championships at Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A on July 27, 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

King Kyle has reclaimed his throne.

The Australian swimming star proved once again why he’s a force to be reckoned with in the pool as he claimed the gold medal in his pet event, the 100m freestyle during the Swimming World Championships in Fukuoka.

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In typical Chalmers fashion the Aussie came from the clouds in the final 50m as he swam over the top of his rivals.

A notorious slow starter he was once again slow off the blocks and touched the wall in seventh place.

American Jack Alexy in lane eight lead the way after the opening 50m and looked to have a stunning upset almost sealed.

But Chalmers came storming home as he found an extra gear as his opponents began to tire and touched the wall in a barnstorming time of 47.15.

Edging out Alexy in 47.31 with France’s Maxime Grousset third in 47.42.

It marks the first time Chalmers has become the individual world champion in the event, adding to his gold medal from the 2016 Olympics.

Chalmers’ time is the quickest in the world over the distance so far this year.

King Kyle reigns SUPREME! 👑💪

That's another Gold Medal in the bank! 🥇🇦🇺

🖥️ #Fukuoka23 | Free on Channel 9 & 9Now, July 23-30.#Swimming#9WWOSpic.twitter.com/XZFjD5MmWO

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) July 27, 2023

The Aussie star was estactic after getting out of the pool having finally claimed the world title that had eluded him for so long.

“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.”

A day ahead of the final, the 25-year-old Aussie issued a warning to world record holder David Popovici.

The 18-year-old Romanian has become one of the biggest names in swimming since his success during last year’s World Championships, but endured his second failure in Fukuoka after missing the podium in the 200m freestyle event.

King Kyle. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Chalmers was asked for his thoughts on Popovici’s failure during the 200m event ahead of the 100m showdown.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t,” he said.

“Obviously, (Popovici) faded a little bit, but I think he’s young and he’ll learn from that and be better for it in the 100,” he said.

“No one is invincible.

“I have been in the sport a long time and have learnt that through my years, that is a lesson he is probably starting to learn now.”

Originally published as Kyle Chalmers masterclass to claim 100m freestyle World Championship crown