Olympic champion Mollie O’Callaghan was overcome with emotion after clocking 1:54.43—the fastest 200m freestyle of 2025—at the Australian swimming trials in Adelaide on June 11. The 21-year-old secured her spot at next month’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, where she’s a top gold medal contender.
O’Callaghan, who won five medals at the Paris Olympics, admitted the emotional toll of coming down from that high, calling this lead-up “the hardest thing I’ve experienced so far.”
Her performance came under intense pressure, especially after teammate Ariarne Titmus broke her world record. O’Callaghan, who edged out Titmus for gold in Paris, now shares the 10 fastest times in history with her rival.
Titmus, commentating at the trials, expressed her support: “We’re incredible athletes, but we’re human first. I know exactly how Mollie feels.”
O’Callaghan has also qualified for the 50m and 100m backstroke and is considering additional freestyle and relay events for Singapore.
Lani Pallister finished second in 1:54.89, with all eight finalists under the qualifying mark—highlighting Australia’s freestyle depth.
Other standout swims included Cameron McEvoy’s 21.30 win in the men’s 50m freestyle, Sienna Toohey’s 50m breaststroke victory, Harrison Turner’s 1:54.90 in the 200m butterfly, and Sam Short’s dominant 7:40.95 in the 800m freestyle.
