World Aquatics Championships 2023: Mollie O'Callaghan throws down world record in women's 200m free

Mollie O’Callaghan won the women’s 200-metre freestyle in a new world record of 1 minute, 52.85 seconds at the World Aquatics Championships 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan, on Wednesday (26 July).

O’Callaghan capped a one-two with compatriot Ariarne Titmus (1:53.01). Summer McIntosh of Canada came in third (1:53.65).

The 19-year-old Australian surpassed the mark of 1:52.98 set by Italy's Federica Pellegrini's at the 2009 Worlds in Rome, which was the oldest record in women's long-course swimming.

"If I’m being honest, I feel shaken, I was just expecting to have fun," O'Callaghan said in tears. "Coming away with the record is just amazing."

Titmus - who smashed the world record in the 400 free on opening night - was in the lead at the 150 but O’Callaghan gradually closed the gap, overtaking her with 10 to go.

She won silver in the race at last year’s meet in Budapest.

Asked if she thought she had any chance of breaking the record, O’Callaghan was genuine.

“No not really,” she said. “Heading into this, I’ve said this many times but I wanted to have fun and enjoy it and try my best… To come out with a world record was really unexpected for me.

“I was a wreck afterwards. I couldn’t really explain it in the moment, there were tears, there was happiness, mixed emotions. I’m just so proud of myself to do that, and it was just such an unexpected moment.”

• World Aquatics Championships 2023: Katie Ledecky blows away women's 1,500m freestyle field
• World Aquatics Championships 2023: Kaylee McKeown takes women's 100m back in meet record
• Swimming at the World Aquatics Championships 2023: Preview, schedule and how to watch live
• World Aquatics Championships 2023: All final results and medals - complete list
• How to qualify for swimming at Paris 2024