FLASH! World Championships, Day Seven Finals: Aussie Party Continues With WR in Mixed Freestyle Relay

Mollie O'callaghan of Australia reacts after winning the gold medal in the 200m Freestyle Women Final with a New World Record during the 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka (Japan), July 26th, 2023.

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FLASH! World Championships, Day Seven Finals: Aussie Party Continues With WR in Mixed Freestyle Relay

How did the seventh night of the World Championships end? With a familiar site: Australia celebrating a gold medal.

As expected, the Aussies destroyed the world record in the mixed 400-meter freestyle relay at the Marine Messe Hall. Behind the quartet of Jack Cartwright, Kyle Chalmers, Shayna Jack and Mollie O’Callaghan, Australia put together a time of 3:18.83. That effort not only bettered the United States by nearly two seconds, it broke the world record (3:19.38) the Dolphins posted at last year’s World Champs.

With Chalmers and O’Callaghan leading the way, Australia looked unbeatable prior to the final. After all, that duo had won gold medals in their respective 100 freestyles. But there was much more to this relay, as Cartwright has been steady throughout the week and Jack has been nothing short of sensational in relay duty. It all added up to an expected romp, and that is exactly the scenario that unfolded.

Cartwright jumpstarted the Australians with a leadoff split of 48.14, good for fourth. Chalmers followed in 47.25, an effort which moved his team into second position. From there, the Aussie ladies put the race out of reach – and made sure another world record would be celebrated. Jack covered the third leg in 51.73 and was backed up by O’Callaghan going 51.71.

“It’s just been an amazing week,” O’Callaghan said. “We are on fire at the moment. It’s amazing to see everyone thrive in this environment and do so well and pick each other up. It’s just amazing to top it off with another world record.”

The United States earned the silver medal behind the foursome of Jack Alexy, Matt King, Abbey Weitzeil and Kate Douglass. Team USA turned in a time of 3:20.82 to hold off Great Britain, which grabbed the bronze medal. The British relay, which went 3:21.68, consisted of Matt Richards, Duncan Scott, Anna Hopkin and Freya Anderson.

“It’s definitely been interesting being the anchor on all the relays this week,” Douglass said. “But it’s been a lot of fun. I think being the anchor definitely motivates me, and I’ve had some really great splits so far this week. It’s been fun having team USA rely on me for that spot.”

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