Editorial content for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships is sponsored by FINIS, a longtime partner of Swimming World and leading innovator of suits, goggles and equipment. Final Words On The Race Of The Century: ‘Streamline, Focus, Put the Blinkers On and Race,’ Says Ariarne Titmus The Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus has arrived into Fukuoka fired up to deliver her baby in Sunday’s opening night 400m freestyle block buster that will kick-start the much-anticipated pool events at the 20th World Aquatics Championships. A Championships that is also celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the very first World Championships in Belgrade in 1973 when American Heather Greenwood won the women’s 400m freestyle gold medal. ARNIE AND LANI: Ariarne Titmus and Lani Pallister will continue Australia’s presence in the 400m freestyle. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr Swimming Australia A race that featured two Americans, two Australians and a Canadian. Now half-a-century later the race is on again with the rest of the world fighting it out for the last three lanes to again join two Americans, two Australians and one young Canadian in what is today being billed as the “Race of the Century.” A race that first raised its head with an American trifecta at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp and dominated by the US until Lorraine Crapp and Dawn Fraser came along, becoming the first Australians to swim the event internationally – winning gold and silver at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. Sunday will again see two Americans – the world’s greatest female swimmer and 2016 Olympic and four-time World Champion in Katie Ledecky, her rookie Tokyo team-mate 18-year-old rising star Bella Sims; two Australians in 2020 Olympic and 2019 world champion Titmus and 2022 World Short Course Champion Lani Pallister joined by a lone Canadian – current world record holder, 16-year-old phenom Summer McIntosh. With Ledecky and Titmus also the two previous world record holders, it’s “Game on!” Titmus arrived into Fukuoka yesterday and spoke to the gathered media throng about the race she calls “her baby”, her passion for the 400m, her tactics, beating Katie and how Summer reminds her of herself. “I was completely fearless at Summer’s age…I think she reminds me a lot of me at 16. I was never afraid….” said Titmus. “I feel like Summer is exactly the same….I have had this conversation with my coach Dean Boxall, him saying ‘maybe you were the first person who really showed people you can do that (and race Katie)….and feel a sense of pride that maybe I paved the way in that sense. PUMPED: There is only one Katie Ledecky. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick “Summer is her own person and what she is doing is amazing…she is 16 and its exciting for the sport…. “It’s scary to think that my last Worlds which was four years ago now (where I had my breakthrough)….coming into 2019….. Katie was…a 3:56 swimmer. I was a 3:59 swimmer. “I thought I would be in the race; I didn’t think that it would be my first race I would beat her. “But this one is different…I feel like I can now, no longer fly under the radar….and that’s the way the sport is when you announce yourself.” What is it about the 400m ? “The 400m is my favourite race…I feel like it’s my baby and I’m just excited to race the 400m…I feel like it’s exciting for the sport. I wish (in some ways) that I could watch from the outside,” said Titmus, as she stood poolside next to Dolphins head coach Rohan Taylor. “I don’t remember as an athlete seeing three women who have held the world record within 18 months, altogether racing each other…. I’m hoping we can put on a good show. “I’m ready and this is the first time since the Olympics that I’m really feeling the buzz to race. I’m raring to go which is a nice feeling. (I’ve had) a bit of a re-set…” And the race ? “The 400m is a controlled sprint almost…you have to be fast and fit to swim a great 400m these days; you have to be swimming around 53 or 54 seconds for a 100m.,” said Titmus. “I feel like it’s an extremely tactical race…you can swim it many different ways to swim a fast time and I think that’s why I enjoy the race…it is challenging on you physically and also tactically… “It is one of the more tougher races. I feel like the 400m is the perfect race suited to my stroke I won my first Olympic gold medal in the 400m. freestyle…. “I feel like it was the race I had my biggest breakthrough in early on in my career. I remember clearly, I was in Japan when I broke four minutes for the first time…in 2018 (at the Pan Pacs)…I love racing the 400m it’s good fun… WELCOME TO MY WORLD: Canada’s Summer McIntosh after breaking the 400m freestyle world record at the Canadian Trials. Photo Courtesy: Swimming Canada/Scott Grant. The preparation? “The last few months I felt myself becoming really hungry and motivated….and excited to race…we are getting closer to the Olympics next year…I had to re-set my mind-set and feel as hungry as I was before the Olympics in Tokyo….you go through a lot if emotions after the a Olympics and I feel like you have to start with a clean slate….and re-gain that hunger again,” she said. And the tactics ? “You have to play to your own strengths…..Summer (went out fast) to break the world record but you don’t know what anyone can do on the day…I think you have to streamline and focus and put the blinkers on and do a race that capitalises on your own strengths…that’s what I have to do on Sunday….I don’t know how anyone in the field is going to race,…I think I would be stupid to try and make a race plan to beat someone else in that sense…”
Great overview… gonna be an exciting race for sure. Hope all the top swimmers are at their best.
I think Ariarne is going to take it and will put on a final 150 m like no one has seen. I am a USA swimming fan, but think Katie doesn’t have the speed or mental toughness to beat Ariarne in the 400 at present. I hope I am wrong, but I watched a video summary of Ariarne and her coach. I am very impressed with how focused she is. Watch out USA, Ariarne is coming and will be ready for bear in the last 150 meters.
Titmus and ledecky are done after this weekend summer world record
I’ve never EVER heard anyone indicate that the GOAT was not mentally tough!! You’ve got to be kidding me! These ladies are incredible and any one of them could set a new WR, but Katie not tough? Be careful what you wish for!
PS: Summer might surprise us all. That’s why the 400 must be swum!
Titmus final words: Veni, Vidi, Vici