World Aquatics Championships 2023: Mollie O'Callaghan completes women's 100-200 freestyle double
The 19-year-old Australian beats Siobhan Bernadette Haughey for her fourth gold medal in Fukuoka, Japan - with potentially more to come.
Swimming
Mollie O’Callaghan won the women's 100-metre freestyle title on Friday (28 July), winning in 52.16 at the World Aquatics Championships 2023 in Fukuoka, to add to the the 200m crown she claimed in world record time two days earlier.
In the 100 free final, O'Callaghan edged Siobhan Bernadette Haughey (52.49) of Hong Kong, China, at the wall for her fourth gold medal of the swimming meet, including the two freestyle relays.
"I came into this week just wanting to have fun and enjoy it and learn and... to have achieved so much is just an incredible feeling,” O’Callaghan said poolside afterwards.
"Having fun is the most important part. Going into previous meets, I was just so nervous all the time and worrying, and this is the first time that I've actually felt quite calm and just enjoying every little bit."
Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands took bronze in 52.71.
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O’Callaghan isn’t done. With more relays penciled in over the weekend, she could continue to add to her already impressive haul.
“It’s been a big meet so far,” the 19year-old said. “I take it day by day like I said and to finish off my individuals, check it off and to accomplish so much in a meet is more than I could ask for.
“Just looking forward to finishing off with relays and try to hold myself together as much as I can.”
Prior to arriving in Saga Prefecture where the Dolphins camped from 8 July, O’Callaghan dislocated her kneecap, raising questions about her form for Fukuoka.
No doubt she’s answered them all - and then some.
“It’s been crazy so far leading into this. I was a lot more calm than last year when I was leading off with the 200 freestyle and felt a lot more pressure to perform well.
“I think this meet is completely different. Leading up I had a lot less pressure because of my injury. I just thought why not just have a crack and see I go.”