World Championships, Day Three Men’s Finals: Kyle Chalmers Propels Australia To 4×50 Freestyle Gold In Oceania Record

Kyle Chalmers: Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

A Special Thanks to Deep Blue Media for providing the images from this meet

World Championships, Day Three Men’s Finals: Kyle Chalmers Propels Australia To 4×50 Freestyle Gold In Oceania Record

Kyle Chalmers unleashed a storming final leg of 20.34 to propel Australia to gold in the men’s 4x50m freestyle at the World Championships in Melbourne.

Australia were fifth at the final changeover with Italy, Japan and USA occupying the medal places but Chalmers – breathing to his right – came past all of them to take the title in an Oceania record of 1:23.44.

It was Chalmers’ second gold of the night following victory in the 100 free.

Italy were second in 1:23.48 and the Netherlands third in 1:23.75 with Japan and the USA occupying the next two places.

Australia splits:

Isaac Cooper: 21.25

Matthew Temple: 20.75

Flynn Southam: 21.10

Kyle Chalmers: 20.34

David Curtiss went out in 21.16 to give the USA a 0.06 advantage after the 50 with the Italians moving into a 0.18 lead at halfway after Leonardo Deplano‘s 20.59.

The quartet increased their lead to 0.36 over Japan who had moved ahead of the USA with Australia not in contention only for Chalmers to split 9.59/10.75.

Cooper – who earlier set a WJR and Commonwealth 50 back mark – described it as “awesome” while Chalmers said:

“I can say that it was quite special. For me I much prefer relay success than individual success.

“I think you know we have such an amazing female side of the Australian swimming team and the boys probably we haven’t had a huge amount of success in relays that we’ve we’ve been there kind of the bridesmaid in third position a few times but to stand on top of the podium have the Australian anthem with my best mates, something special.

“It ranks up there massively in my career highlights.”

Temple echoed Chalmers’, saying:

“I think that’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Were coming out world champions with our families in the crowd. I’m speechless. It’s always something special to race with others, especially for your own country. Kyle’s strength is coming home in the back end and I think he loves the anchor.

“I have to just dive in and do my job and leave it to the boys to finish.”

Southam beamed:

“It’s just pretty crazy me you know, being 17, getting to do it with some good boys and Kyle’s kind of like the leader of the team and he’s got the experience.

“I mean, that definitely hasn’t sunk in yet [that we are world champions]. But I mean, the job’s not finished. We got to go home and prepare for tomorrow and the rest of the meet so you can celebrate after.”

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