Mollie O’Callaghan made history at the World Cup in Westmont by becoming the first woman to swim a sub 1:50 in the 200m freestyle event. Her world-leading performance not only earned her the top overall finish, but made her name a part of history. It broke the short-course world record set by Sioban Haughey of Hong Kong, which had been in place since 2021.
O’Callaghan’s extraordinary time of 1:49.58 stunned both spectators and commentators alike. Even Katie Ledecky, the reigning Olympic gold medallist in the 200m freestyle, said she couldn’t believe her eyes when she first saw her record-breaking time.
“I was so fortunate to have an amazing support team supporting me,” O’Callaghan said. So at the end of the day, I just had to trust my gut.”
Her teammate, Lani Pallister, finished in second place with a commendable time of 1:52.06, showcasing the depth of talent within Australian swimming.
Throughout the fierce competition, viewers were treated to a jaw-dropping display of competitive genius. Commentators could hardly contain their excitement as O’Callaghan neared her last lap.
As Mollie O’Callaghan nears the last turn, the suspense mounts. What could she possibly be cooking up,” one blogger shouted, titling his post with the excitement of the day.
With each powerful stroke, O’Callaghan pulled further ahead of Haughey’s old record pace. One enthusiastic commentator even yelled out, “We don’t let that record! She’s below it and going right towards the wall!”
In addition to that incredible opening leg, Regan Smith won the 100m backstroke, tying her own short-course world record in the event. That time of 54.02 on that first 400m medley relay leg in Budapest is a terrific addition to O’Callaghan’s fireside glory. Smith’s incredible on-track performance made her one of the unequivocally strongest competitors. She currently has a staggering credentialing list that includes five Olympic gold medals and 11 long course world championship titles. Kaylee McKeown with a 55.04 was second in this event!
O’Callaghan’s record not only highlights her exceptional talent but marks a significant moment for women’s swimming. As she moves toward shattering more glass ceilings in the sport, her fans can’t wait to see what she does next.
