Australian sprinter Kyle Chalmers has showcased an exceptional swim to surpass his competitors and emerge victorious in the men’s 100m freestyle final at the long course world championships in Japan. Known for his slow starts, the 2016 Olympic champion found himself in seventh place initially as the swimmers in the outer lanes posed a threat to the favorite in the event. However, Chalmers demonstrated his resilience and determination, accelerating in the final 20 meters to complete the race in 47.15 seconds, ahead of Jack Alexy from the United States (47.31) and Maxime Grousset from France (47.42).
David Popovici, the highly touted young world-record holder, disappointingly finished sixth. Following the race, Chalmers expressed his elation at finally securing a win that had eluded him for so long. In an interview with Nine, he described the race as “very special” and revealed that he had never felt better in a competition. Chalmers attributed his success to managing the pressure and expectations calmly, crediting his ability to think clearly throughout the race. Despite the slow start, he emphasized his confidence in his swimming abilities and his preference for being in a comfortable and controlled position regardless of his placement in the race. The Australian swimmer also highlighted his love for a challenging race, acknowledging his experience and stamina as the oldest competitor.
Renowned Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, providing commentary for Nine, commended Chalmers’ outstanding performance, describing it as a “brilliant swim” and one of the fastest times of his career. Thorpe noted that Chalmers faced the additional challenge of his competitors being on the side he doesn’t typically breathe towards, but he managed to overcome the obstacle and triumph.
Commentator Giaan Rooney, a relay gold medallist, emphasized the significance of Chalmers’ victory as a confidence boost leading into the upcoming Olympics in Paris. Rooney contrasted Chalmers’ success with the disappointment faced by David Popovici, stating that all the attention and expectations had been placed on the world-record holder, who had underperformed in both the 200m and now the 100m events. With Chalmers’ impressive achievements, including his Olympic gold and silver medals, he now enters Paris as the reigning world champion.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
