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Reuters

Mollie O’Callaghan and Kaylee McKeown launched Australia’s post-Ariarne Titmus era in style by smashing short course world records at the World Cup meet in Westmont, Illinois.
Olympic 200m freestyle champion O’Callaghan swam one minute, 49.77 seconds for victory in the same event, eclipsing the previous mark of 1:50.31 set by Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey in 2021.
McKeown then held off fierce rival Regan Smith to win the 200 backstroke in 1:57.87 on the final night of the meet on Sunday, erasing the American’s previous best of 1:58.04 set at the short course world championships last December.
McKeown’s win turned the tables on Smith, who had edged the Australian for the 100 backstroke title on Saturday and equalled her own short course world record of 54.02 in the process.
While McKeown usually allows Smith an early lead before hunting her down, the Australian led hard from the front in the 200 and held her off to the wall.

“I wanted to see what I could do tonight,” said 24-year-old McKeown, who has won the 100 and 200 backstroke gold medals at the last two Olympics.
“Regan pushed me through all the way. I wanted to go out hard and hold on; it’s not something that I’m used to doing.”
McKeown owns both the short and long course 200 world records, while Smith has both in the 100.
The eye-catching performances of the Australian women come days after former teammate and Olympic 400 freestyle champion Ariarne Titmus announced her shock decision to retire from competitive swimming at the age of 25.
Kate Douglass grabbed another world record for the United States in the 100m freestyle, posting a time of 50.19 to take down Australian Cate Campbell’s 50.25 best from 2017.
It was the versatile Douglass’s third short course world record, having already set the 200 individual medley and 200 breaststroke marks.
“I kind of wanted to go for it tonight,” the 23-year-old said. “It’s definitely crazy to think that I have a breaststroke and freestyle world record. Pretty cool.”
The third and final meet in the World Cup series starts in Toronto on Thursday.


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Swimming

O’Callaghan shatters Haughey’s 200m freestyle record, McKeown sets new 200m backstroke mark

A shocked Mollie O’Callaghan reacts after setting a world record and winning the women’s 200m freestyle final at the World Cup event in Westmont. Photo: Getty Images

Kaylee McKeown added the 200m backstroke world record to her collection. Photo: AFP

Beyond Siobhan Haughey: Hong Kong’s best bets, China’s top threats at National Games

Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey after winning the 200m freestyle final at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest last December. Photo: EPA-EFE

Siobhan Haughey (middle) in a Mare Nostrum Tour 100m freestyle final in May. Photo: Tom Rushton

Sprinter Ian Ho is Hong Kong’s other main medal hope. Photo: Mike Chan

China’s Yu Zidi, 12, came in fourth in the 400m IM at the world championships. Photo: Xinhua

Siobhan Haughey’s rise to become golden girl of Hong Kong sport

Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey shows off the two bronze medals she won at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Photo: Elson Li

Siobhan Haughey is looking to increase her medal haul at the National Games. Photo: Edmond So

Siobhan Haughey with the 2024 Hong Kong Stars Awards for Women. Photo: Elson Li

Sport

Hong Kong

Australian pair Mollie O’Calaghan and Kaylee McKeown get post-Titmus era off to record-setting start at World Cup meet


Australian pair Mollie O’Calaghan and Kaylee McKeown get post-Titmus era off to record-setting start at World Cup meet.


Siobhan Haughey

Ariarne Titmus

Kate Douglass

Regan Smith

O’Callaghan shatters Haughey’s 200m freestyle record, McKeown sets new 200m backstroke mark

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Australian pair Mollie O’Calaghan and Kaylee McKeown get post-Titmus era off to record-setting start at World Cup meet

Australian pair Mollie O’Calaghan and Kaylee McKeown get post-Titmus era off to record-setting start at World Cup meet