And judging by the kind of relay splits (three legs of 46 points including a 46.60) she posted at the recent FINA World Championships in Budapest, where she decided to enter the individual freestyle events, the dog of Adelaide scrap could be ready to produce something truly special.
Kyle Chalmers is clocking faster times than the 47.90 that lifted him to gold in Rio six years ago. Credit: AP
Chalmers runs best when he has a point to prove and exists for the big moments. With England’s Lewis Burras in 47.63 at the World Championships, Chalmers will have the hare he needs to chase as he unleashes his signature booming second lap.
Styles clash: Mollie O v Emma McKeon, 100m freestyle
Tokyo queen Emma McKeon is back and ready to continue her dominance in the freestyle sprints after completing the double at last year’s Olympics. Her 51.96 was an Olympic record and while she is unlikely to threaten that mark in Birmingham, where she returns to racing after a significant break, the 28-year-old remains the swimmer to beat.
But sport never stops and while McKeon was taking some time off after the Games, Mollie O’Callaghan was getting down to business.
The 18-year-old claimed her first world title in the 100m freestyle a month ago and her PB of 52.49 is only going in one direction.
Emma McKeon in training in Birmingham this week. Credit: Getty
McKeon is a sustained speed machine who red-marks it for both 50s, while O’Callaghan will give a substantial start as he finishes after the turn.
It becomes an exciting contest as the two battle it out for Commonwealth gold.
It’s all in the name of Elijah Winnington
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After so much promise, Tokyo was not the happy place Elijah Winnington hoped it would be as he struggled to replicate his pre-Games form on the big stage. The amiable Queenslander suffered a tailspin, suffering bouts of depression before returning to the racing business.
Now he has turned things around dramatically, rising to a world title in the 400m freestyle to continue Australia’s excellent pedigree in the event loved by John Konrads, Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett. The Commonwealth Games gold beckons as he continues a remarkable turnaround that lives up to his nickname.
Also of note is Mack Horton, the Rio champion who is convinced he can make it to another Paris Olympics. He didn’t make the final in Budapest, but he said it hurt his heat swim and he paid a heavy price. The field is a little thinner here, but he needs to prove he can go blow-for-blow with the new mid-range king.
Get all the latest news from the Birmingham Commonwealth Games here. We’ll be broadcasting the action live on the blog from 4pm to 10am each day.