Mollie O’Callaghan Unleashes Her Super Powers To Claim Second 200m Freestyle World Title
Olympic champion Mollie O’Callaghan served up a golden dose of powerhouse turns and a monster final lap to claim her second 200-meter freestyle title on Night Four of the Singapore World Championships.
The 21-year-old unleashed three powerful turns – her third pushing her past U.S. teen Claire Weinstein before the Dean Boxall-coached Mollie O brought in her trademark six-beat kick to swim away from the field, adding tonight’s title to her 2023 world championship and her Olympic gold in Paris last year.
O’Callaghan clocked a time of 1:53.48, the ninth fastest time in history, with China’s fast finishing 11-time World Championships medallist Li Bingjie storming home in Lane One to snatch the silver, Weinstein hanging on for bronze in another personal best of 1:54.67.
It was O’Callaghan’s second gold medal of the meet after leading off Australia’s gold medal opener in the 4x100m freestyle relay on Night One – with tonight’s second gold medal of the meet increasing her total World Championships gold medal tally to 10, alongside Grant Hackett and one behind Ian Thorpe on 11. The 100 freestyle and relays are to come.
O’Callaghan said that heading into this week, her life had been a whirlwind.
“Having a big long break after the Olympics was well needed, and then coming back from injury myself. I am so thankful to have an amazing coach in Dean Boxall, to guide me through this difficult time. I know it has been hard for a lot of people to come back after the Olympics, but I am very grateful to have a good support from the team to get me through this mentally and physically.
“Training in a positive environment definitely makes a world of difference. It is nice to come to a pool (at St Peters Western) and feel at home. To know that everyone supports you no matter what. I am very thankful to have such a strong team behind me. We have 11 athletes on this team so it is exciting to see some rookies come through from our team. The Australian team in general is just so connected, and we all treat each other like a family, which makes it such an enjoyable ride.”
Silver medalist Li Bingjie said her silver in the 400 freestyle set her up well for the rest of the meet, able to race (the 200m) with an open mind, and just compete freely.
“It’s good news for my 400, too, the front part of that race,” she said. “I want to be able to give my team an advantage in the relay. I think this is good for me, whether it’s for the front part of my 400, or the relay events. It all contributes to something.”
Weinstein said that medalling internationally is something she only ever dreamed of.
“It’s really cool getting on the podium. I went into this week wanting to swim a better time than that, but I can’t be upset with a medal,” said Weinstein.
“It definitely gives me confidence. I think each day, I get better. A week ago, I was in the trenches and didn’t know how this week would go, so going a best time definitely gives me confidence that I’m moving in the right direction.”
The stomach bug that has circulated through the U.S. swim camp claimed Weinstein among its number, forcing her to scratch the women’s 400 freestyle on the opening day of the meet.
Weinstein had less than 48 hours before the 200 freestyle heats, bouncing back to win her heat, before winning the second semifinal in another personal best time of 1:54.69 to lead the top eight. She was faster than her Paris Olympic time of 1:54.88, swum on the leadoff of the USA’s silver medal-winning 4x200m freestyle relay.
Weinstein had finished eighth in the Olympic final, at 17, the youngest swimmer in the field.
