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. World Championships, Day Three Prelims: Mollie O’Callaghan and Summer McIntosh Lead 200 Freestyle Qualifying Several weeks out from the start of the World Championships, reports surfaced from Down Under that teen star Mollie O’Callaghan had suffered a knee injury. Obviously, this revelation sparked concerns for how she would perform in Fukuoka. Unquestionably, the mishap is behind the Australian star. Having already jumpstarted the Aussies to gold and a world record in the 400-meter freestyle relay, O’Callaghan notched the fastest time in the prelims of the 200 freestyle on Tuesday morning at the Marine Messe Hall. Clocking a time of 1:55.68, O’Callaghan was one of two swimmers to crack 1:56 during the session, with Canadian Summer McIntosh the other, thanks to a mark of 1:55.88. The silver medalist in the 200 freestyle at last year’s World Champs, O’Callaghan went 52.08 on her leadoff leg of the Aussie relay earlier in the week. That performance alleviated any concerns she was still in recovery mode from her knee ailment. And her comfortable foray in the opening round of the 200 free confirmed she is ready to challenge for the title in the event. McIntosh’s swim was her first since she encountered struggles in the final of the 400 freestyle, where she finished fourth and was three seconds off her best time. McIntosh was followed in the No. 3 position by Aussie Ariarne Titmus (1:56.20), who set a world record en route to gold in the 400 freestyle on Night One. Rounding out the top five were Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey (1:56.56) and the Netherlands’ Marrit Steenbergen (1:56.66). Americans Bella Sims (1:57.71) and Claire Weinstein (1:57.93) sit 11th and 12th heading into the semifinals.
