Mollie O’Callaghan: Australian swim star nears legend Ian Thorpe’s world championship medal record
Ian Thorpe believes there’s no end in sight to Mollie O’Callaghan’s greatness as the swim phenom prepares to take down his legendary landmark.
O’Callaghan on Friday is favoured to surpass Thorpe’s Australian record for most gold medals at world championships.
The 21-year-old joined Thorpe with 11 golds at worlds when anchoring Australia’s triumphant women’s 4x200m freestyle relay in Singapore on Thursday night.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“It is very special,” O’Callaghan said.
“Like, it would be wrong if I said it wasn’t special, it’s a huge accomplishment in a way.”
Thorpe expects his record to tumble when red-hot favourite O’Callaghan races the women’s 100m freestyle final on Friday night.
“I look at her, and I see the gold medallist,” Thorpe said in commentary for Channel Nine.
“She will go far beyond 11 (golds).
“And looking ... beyond for Mollie O’Callaghan, is the opportunity not only at the world championships but multiple Olympics.”
O’Callaghan has already matched Thorpe’s five Olympic golds. Retired swim great Emma McKeon holds the Australian record for most Olympic golds, six.
At the Singapore worlds, Australia top the medal tally with three nights of competition remaining, with five golds, one more than the United States.
The Dolphins have also won one silver and five bronze medals, including one to Kyle Chalmers in Thursday night’s men’s 100m freestyle final.
Chalmers finished behind Romania’s David Popovici, who posted the second-fastest time ever, 46.51 seconds, followed by American Jack Alexy (46.92).
The South Australian 27-year-old touched in 47.17 - his personal best is 47.08, but he remains steadfast that he can break the 47-second barrier.
“Just kind of reinventing myself in the sport and finding a new way to swim fast,” Chalmers said.
“I’m just really grateful to have a really supportive team that believe in me, or probably believe in me more than I have believed in myself since Paris (Olympics) last year.
“It’s quite challenging to be beaten by a whole second in an Olympic final and then try and reset and believe you can be good enough to continue to compete in that event.”
Chalmers clocked 47.48 in snaring silver at last year’s Olympics behind China’s Pan Zhanle, who won in a world record 46.40.
“I have to focus completely on myself,” Chalmers said.
“I’m not focusing on racing the person next to me or what other people are doing.
“I’m focusing on my technique and my skill execution and my stroke rate and things that I know is going to make me be able to compete with these guys when it matters most in LA (2028 Olympics).”
