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Titmus Takes 200 Free In 1:53.89 C’Wealth Games Record, O’Callaghan 1:54.01

2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

  • Friday, July 29 – Wednesday, August 3, 2022
  • Birmingham, England
  • Sandwell Aquatic Center
  • Start Times
    • Prelims: 10:30 am local / 5:30 am ET
    • Finals: 7:00 pm local / 2:00 pm ET
  • LCM (50m)
  • Meet Central
  • Event Schedule
  • Entry List (PDF)
  • Live Results

The reigning Olympic champion in the women’s 200m free, Ariarne Titmus, made some magic happen in the final of the event here at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

After establishing herself as the top-seeded swimmer with a morning swim of 1:55.68, Titmus of Australia unleashed a head-turning performance of 1:53.89 to take gold. That established a new Games Record, overtaking the previous mark of 1:54.81 Canadian Taylor Ruck put on the books at the 2018 edition in the Gold Coast, Australia by nearly a second.

Opening tonight’s race in 56.14 and closing in 57.75, Titmus’ outing here was within striking distance of her monster 1:53.09 she logged last year. That rendered Titmus as the #2 performer all-time, sitting only behind world record holder Federica Pellegrini who remains the fastest-ever at 1:52.98 from 2009.

For Titmus, her performance here represents her 4th outing under the 1:54 barrier, having clocked the aforementioned 1:53.09, as well as 1:53.31 in May of 2022 and 1:53.50 in Tokyo en route to capturing the Olympic gold medal.

With her gold medal-garnering performance here, Titmus’ time of 1:53.89 inserts itself into slot #8 among the top performances of all time in this women’s 200m free.

But right behind Titmus tonight was World Championships standout Mollie O’Callaghan, also hailing from Australia.

Just 18 years of age, O’Callaghan already made a name for herself by capturing a trio of relay medals at the 2020 Olympic Games.

Then, just last month she hauled away 6 medals from the 2022 World Championships, including individual gold in the women’s 100m free and silver in the 200m free.

Tonight, O’Callaghan crushed a lifetime best of 1:54.09 to snag 200m free silver behind teammate Titmus. That checks in as the 10th fastest performance in history, rendering O’Callaghan as the 6th fastest performer of all time.

O’Callaghan masterfully split 56.76/57.25 to clock her 1:54.09 PB, crushing her previous lifetime best of 1:54.94 put up in May of this year. In Budapest, O’Callaghan reaped her silver in 1:55.22.

Top Women’s 200m Freestyle Performances of All-Time

  1. Federica Pellegrini (ITA), 1:52.98, 2009
  2. Ariarne Titmus (AUS), 1:53.09, 2021
  3. Ariarne Titmus (AUS), 1:53.31, 2022
  4. Ariarne Titmus (AUS), 1:53.50, 2021
  5. Allison Schmitt (USA), 1:53.61, 2012
  6. Federica Pellegrini (ITA), 1:53.67, 2009
  7. Katie Ledecky, (USA) 1:53.73, 2016
  8. Ariarne Titmus (AUS), 1:53.89, 2022
  9. Siobhan Haughey (HKG), 1:53.92, 2021
  10. Mollie O’Callaghan (AUS), 1:54.01, 2022

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Nick the biased Aussie
2 years ago

This is great for the Aussie womens 4×200 relay
I hope the order is Mollie, Arnie, Emma, Madi.
Give Arnie the opportunity to crack a monster split.

MichaelTran
2 years ago

MOC is much more a backhalf swimmer
If she is trying to catch a monster who has a great opening spilt, I doubt she can prevail
Bella Sims smashed her in the first 100m & she did not respond
Just saying

Mark
Reply to  MichaelTran
2 years ago

She’s 18. She’s likely to get better as she gets older. Ian Thorpe was a back end swimmer too, and he caught nearly everyone he chased over his career.

Troyy
Reply to  MichaelTran
2 years ago

That wasn’t even a proper race between them because Bella Sims dove into the pool with a one second lead and at the end of the day how a swimmer splits their race doesn’t matter; what matters is the total time.

MichaelTran
2 years ago

Different competitions, different races
Jamaica went 1-2-3 in Women’s 100m at WC & still lost the relay
Last year in Tokyo, AUS lost even with Titmus/Mckeon
Stop overreacting that MOC or AUS would sweep the replay if they had a full team in Budapest

Nick the biased Aussie
Reply to  MichaelTran
2 years ago

Hard to compare when the changeover of the baton in athletics is such a big component.

Last edited 2 years ago by Nick the biased Aussie
Troyy
2 years ago

I just watched a replay and Mollie’s game face is funny because she looks like a woman on a mission but she had the same game face before the 100 in Budapest when we know she was actually sh-tting bricks in the ready room.

flicker
2 years ago

I knew titmus would drag moc to a pb but I really wasn’t expecting a 1:54.0 and I’d rather it be a tight finish between them than if titmus had missed the WR by like a tenth

Troyy
Reply to  flicker
2 years ago

I think mentally it’s better for Titmus to miss it like this than another close miss.

Yozhik
2 years ago

“What was all that one in a million talk?” Dumb and Dumber.
What was that secret weapon – the significant improvements in her racing technique that made her by her own words faster. The public statement Titmus has made prior the beginning of CWG.
Why the reference to the difficulties in preparation for the Games caused by pandemic got surfaced today but not before games. Are they real for Australian top swimmers or not really. And where they were a few months ago when she made 1:53.3
If any of Americans were swimming under 1:54 then there would be talks about that for month ahead. But let’s face it. It isn’t even close to what was expected… Read more »

Awsi Dooger
Reply to  Yozhik
2 years ago

Why aren’t you in the Summer McIntosh thread repeating your assertion from several months ago that the 4:29 was a one-time result and not representative?

Your paranoid desperation to deflect from any female swimmer not named Katie Ledecky is the most pathetic ongoing trend on this site or any sports forum.

You can relax. Ledecky’s greatness is not being questioned and won’t go away. But you’re a fool not to understand that prodigies will follow.

Gregor
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
2 years ago

If not already, gonna be a frenemy hothouse atmosphere at that SPW training site with Titmus and MOC. Eyerolling claim being made in Julian Linden’s article (“World Record Titmus Should Already Have”) in Australia that Titmus already deserves the 200m Free record because of the supersuit era, and that Titmus “has been ROBBED of the title by bumbling swimming officials.” Titmus complains about Pellegrini’s suit and splits (as if Titmus is the only swimmer who has ever had to chase a supersuit record!!) and says it takes a lot more exertion for her to challenge the record than it does a 100m Free specialist. At least MOC not saying stuff.

Yozhik
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
2 years ago

The only thing that I dislike about Titmus is her talks about her greatness. She is a unique phenomenon in swimming and her achievements clearly tell that.
If you are so irritated with my emotions and dedication to Katie Ledecky then follow Bobo’s advice: ignore this paranoiacally obsessed swimming fan.

Mike
2 years ago

I really want for Titmus to break the record, but this was a very close race and a improving 4×200 Aussie relay

Swimfan
Reply to  Mike
2 years ago

I think Bella sims gonna break the record before Titmus

Verram
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

Nah she will get the Simone overtraining syndrome soon

the facts
Reply to  Verram
2 years ago

Isn’t she going to Florida?

Taa
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

She doesn’t have enough speed yet. Also could take her a while to replicate that relay swim.

Lisa
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

But she did have the speed and went faster on that relay and I feel like most people on comments here underestimate us women’s relay team cause I do believe they are on the same level as australia when it comes to 800m relay and can deliver on crucial moments

Calvie
Reply to  Mike
2 years ago

Anyone know what the substance or device is that is in Titmus’ ear or ears when she swims? Doesn’t look like a typical earplug. Pacing device?

Kelsey
Reply to  Calvie
2 years ago

I think it’s blu tac. That’s what I use as ear plugs works so much better

Sub13
2 years ago

Suggested alternative headline: “Both Titmus and MOC would have won gold in Budapest and beat Ledecky at Nationals”.

That seems like it would be more consistent with how you have been framing article titles lately.

Taa
Reply to  Sub13
2 years ago

Ledecky had no one pushing her

Sub13
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

So?

Taa
Reply to  Sub13
2 years ago

beating someone is different than swimming a faster time. half a second difference they need to race side by side for me concede defeat

Jack
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

Oh come on. I’m as big a Ledecky fan as anybody, but she hasn’t been particularly close to 1:54-flat in years without a rolling start. If Katie was there, she’d have been 3rd

Lisa
Reply to  Jack
2 years ago

I’m not sure about that cause I do believe if Ledecky races both of them she’s is likely gonna fight for the win and when has she ever gets a bronze in these type of competition cause I don’t think she ever has a bronze in wc or Olympics

Sub13
Reply to  Lisa
2 years ago

She didn’t get a bronze in this event in Tokyo because she came fifth

Lisa
Reply to  Sub13
2 years ago

Yes I know that and she basically won gold a few hours after that fifth place and my point is that if she is on form going into these type of races against titmus and moc then she basically gonna fight for a win and posted almost the same time as the 200m split she did in the relay this year in wc and at worse getting a silver and not bronze and certainly not losing to moc .

Robbos
Reply to  Lisa
2 years ago

Another person sleeping on MOC.
MOC is 18 years old, she doesn’t know how to race it, she will only get faster & I don’t ever see Ledecky beating MOC in the 200 free.
No-one has ever gone this quick at 18 years old. Maybe McIntosh will surpass it.

Lisa
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

Really you want to go on debate about this cause I’m not sleeping on MOC cause she is definitely faster but Ledecky have more speed than her and moc is young and more of a sprinter but I’m saying if Ledecky go races against moc and titmus , she’s likely going to fight for a win or get a second place cause I don’t think Ledecky ever gets a third place if racing in individual and that is impressive

Robbos
Reply to  Lisa
2 years ago

I’m sorry, if Ledecky goes up against MOC & Titmus in the next 2 years leading up to Paris, she is going end up 3rd.
Titmus has just gone 1.53 for the 4th time & Ledecky’s only done it once.
MOC is young, at 18, no-one as yet has been as fast at 18 years old, not Titmus, not Ledecky. She is only going to get faster.
Now if you are talking about 800 or 1500, Ledecky has no peers.

Lisa
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

Well that’s your opinion and that’s fine but this year and last year Ledecky not focusing so much on 200m to focus on the relay and she just went 1.53 on her splits for a second year in a row and two Olympics in a row and I understand why you’re saying moc gonna go faster but when it comes to showing a real speed in individual events Ledecky gonna deliver and so yeah I’m still think she’s gonna beat moc in individual events and at worst gets a silver and not bronze.

Troyy
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

Ledecky’s a time trialer. She doesn’t need competition to maximise her performances.

Taa
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

There you guys go making excuses

Sub13
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

Two people just swam faster than Ledecky but you’re accusing others of “making excuses”. Get a hobby, honestly. It’s sad.

Taa
Reply to  Sub13
2 years ago

No i am at work right now being productive

Verram
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

If this is your productive .. glad to see u still hold a job

Verram
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

You’re the one making excuses for ledecky,.. she’s just slower full stop

Taa
Reply to  Verram
2 years ago

She just split a 1:53.67 on the relay at worlds wtf are you talking about

Taa
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

On the biggest stage in the biggest moment. Aussies swim against summer league competition with Kenya lol

Taa
Reply to  Verram
2 years ago

MOC split a 1:56 when it mattered Sims CRUSHED her

Robbos
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

You just have to laugh, MOC got the individual silver medal in the 200 in the WC & just swam the 2nd fastest 200 free this year, only Titmus quicker.

Lisa
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

Yes and I know this is different events but speaking of other 200m free in relay ,Ledecky is the other swimmer besides titmus who went mid 1.53 and yes if she races both of them I do believe she would have posted the same time

Verram
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

As if anyone needed to push ledekay in the past to break world records.. excuses excuses..

Ghost
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

She didn’t have anyone pushing her each time she set a WR and she set a lot of WRs! But last year in Tokyo, she had a race in 400 and who won? She had competition but she got beat!

Yikes
Reply to  Sub13
2 years ago

You’ve got a real chip on your shoulder. Swimswam is an American-run site and I think they do a great job of covering international swimmers. Also it’s FREE despite dozens of new articles a day. If it drives you so crazy, start your own site or find a new one.

Sub13
Reply to  Yikes
2 years ago

I notice that you never take issue with the mountain of vile comments that spew out of the Americans constantly. Doesn’t seem like negativity is actually what you care about.

Also SwimSwam is turning a profit from advertising. They’re not a charity. Wake up

Yikes
Reply to  Sub13
2 years ago

I don’t know, I see you on here way more than I see “vile” things. But I also don’t sit on the internet comment boards as much as you seem to so possibly missed it! Anyway, good luck keyboard warrior-ing, hope you convince the dumb, faceless strangers in the world that you’re right, because that matters a lot clearly. I’m just going to sit back and watch Summer and the Aussies tear it up because there is so much great swimming already to enjoy!

Last edited 2 years ago by Yikes
Personal Best
Reply to  Yikes
2 years ago

You’re engaging in the exact same behavior you’re apparently criticizing.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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