Kyle Chalmers, the accomplished Australian swimmer, secured a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle event at the World Championships held in Singapore. Chalmers posted an incredible time of 47.17 seconds. This victory secured him his 14th career medal at world titles, an astounding feat that only further beautifies his already gaudy collection. This accomplishment cements his place as a known quantity. The Eugene, Ore. resident has the most unshakable of records. He’s never been anything but top three in his six appearances in Olympic or world championship finals.
27-year-old Chalmers remained very competitive and fell short only to Romania’s David Popovici. Popovici won the race handily, clocking a 46.51 with American Jack Alexy in hot pursuit at 46.92. Though he did not hit his goal of going a personal best, Chalmers is looking forward to racing again and continuing to improve.
“I have been training hard for that moment, I desperately wanted to get a 46 out tonight, but it wasn’t quite there,” Chalmers expressed following the race.
Despite not taking the win, he was quick to place importance on his own podium result, saying “To get on that podium is something so special. This bronze medal adds to Chalmers’ already illustrious career, including a gold medal he earned while anchoring Australia’s 4x100m freestyle relay team.
Chalmers ahead of the start of the semifinal where he produced a time of 47.08 seconds personal best. He hasn’t broken the 100m freestyle barrier in under 47 seconds yet. More than anything, he wants you to know that he is genuinely convinced that he can cross that barrier very soon!
Coincidentally, on the same night as Chalmers’ finals run, fellow Australian swimmer Liz Dekkers was making headlines. She won a bronze medal in her individual event. True to form with her many and evident challenges, Dekkers made no excuses for a lack of results, saying “Physically, I’m not at my best.”
As Chalmers zealously looks ahead to his next competitive chapter, he sets his gaze on the next horizon where his swimming legacy and life adventures begin. He and his partner, Ingeborg Loyning, are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child next month.
