A Special Thanks to Deep Blue Media for providing the images from this meet Hali Flickinger claimed her first individual world title after dominating the 400IM from start to finish at the World Championships in Melbourne. The Olympic bronze medallist held a 2.76secs lead after the fly leg, which she extended to 4.08 at halfway. Sara Franceschi ate into the American’s lead on the breaststroke, reducing the deficit to 1.28secs but Flickinger was never threatened, coming home in 4:26.51. Franceschi was second in 4:28.58 with Waka Kobori claiming her first medal on the global senior stage in 4:29.03 but defending champion Tessa Cieplucha was DQd. Flickinger splits: 1:00.06/2:06.97/3:25.72/4:26.51 It was Flickinger’s first individual title in an international competition since her 2018 Pan Pacific Championships gold in the 200m butterfly. It also came months after she told coach Bob Bowman she wanted to quit, fed up of being defined by swimming. She started working in real estate, balancing that with swimming, and arrived at the World Championships in Melbourne with no expectations. On Saturday the 28-year-old added 400IM gold to her 200 fly silver and said: “I took it out fast. It was fun and I just wanted to swim my own race. I know my strengths and my weaknesses, so I just tried to do my best.” Franceschi followed up her European silver in the 200IM in Rome and said: “I’m very happy. It’s my first World Championships, and first World Championships medal. “It’s incredible, I haven’t had this feeling before. It’s a very fast time and a personal best. I’m just so happy.”
World Championships, Day Five Women’s Finals: Hali Flickinger Dominates 400IM For Gold
