A Look At the Super Seven Chasing a World Champs-Commonwealth Games Double
When the Commonwealth Games get underway in less than a week, a handful of athletes will look to complete a summer double on the international stage. Seven individuals, including four Australians, will look to follow up a world title from last month in Budapest with a Commonwealth gold medal in Birmingham, England.
Here’s a look at those chasing a double.
Ben Proud (England) – 50 Freestyle
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
The British sprinter, taking advantage of Caeleb Dressel’s absence, secured the world title with a clocking of 21.32, which was enough to hold off American Michael Andrew. Proud is the two-time defending champion in the event and will see his main competition come from countryman Lewis Burras and Canadian youngster Joshua Liendo.
Elijah Winnington (Australia) – 400 Freestyle
At the World Champs, Winnington surged to the gold medal with a spectacular, last-lap flourish which allowed him to touch in 3:41.22, more than a second clear of Germany’s Lukas Martens. If Winnington is on form, he won’t be touched. His biggest threats will be fellow Aussie Mack Horton, the 2016 Olympic champion, and South Africa’s Matt Sates, one of several teens who have the sport excited about the future.
Zac Stubblety-Cook (Australia) – 200 Breaststroke
As the world-record holder and only man to crack the 2:06 barrier (2:05.95) in the event, Stubblety-Cook is in a race against the clock – and himself. He won the world championship comfortably in 2:07.07 and with no rival seeded under 2:08 in Birmingham, Stubblety-Cook is in minimal danger. If anyone can make a push, look to England’s James Wilby and Aussie Matthew Wilson.
Mollie O’Callaghan (Australia) – 100 Freestyle
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
The Australian teen fulfilled her great promise at the World Championships when she powered home on the last lap and finished in 52.67 to edge future Hall of Famer Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden (52.80). O’Callaghan figures to be a longtime force for the Aussies, much like Cate Campbell has been. But she’ll have her hands full at Commonwealths, as reigning Olympic champ and countrywoman Emma McKeon enters the fray after passing on Worlds. More, Aussie Shayna Jack will be in the mix, if her broken hand from a freak warmup incident in Budapest has healed. England will try to disrupt O’Callaghan’s double pursuit with the tandem of Freya Anderson and Anna Hopkin.
Kylie Masse (Canada) – 50 Backstroke
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Several Canadian stars, including Penny Oleksiak will not be in attendance after racing at Worlds, but Masse has decided to remain in action. After winning the world crown in 27.31, Masse will go to battle with Aussies Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O’Callaghan. Wales’ Medi Harris was a finalist in the event at the World Champs.
Kaylee McKeown (Australia) – 200 Backstroke
Overall, McKeown was not at her best at Worlds, but her talent enabled her to win the 200 backstroke in 2:05.08, just .04 ahead of American Phoebe Bacon. It’s hard to imagine anyone but Canada’s Kylie Masse giving McKeown a test.
Summer McIntosh (Canada) – 200 Butterfly
The 15-year-old phenom roared to the first of a pair of world championships in the 200 butterfly, clocking 2:05.20. Australian Elizabeth Dekkers was a finalist at the World Champs and Aussie Brianna Throssell has enjoyed a superb career, but McIntosh is expected to roll.
Summer McIntosh (Canada) – 400 Individual Medley
McIntosh prevailed over American Katie Grimes, a fellow teen, at the World Championships and has been sub-4:30 in the event. A challenge at the Commonwealth Games could come from Australian Kaylee McKeown, who chose not to race this event at Worlds and has been as fast as 4:31.74.
