- The race was one of the most anticipated in Paris
- Australians and Americans have developed an intense rivalry.
Ariarne Titmus has defended her women’s 400m freestyle title with an incredible swim at the Paris Olympics, completely dominating American rival Katie Ledecky in the final.
In the race of the century, Tasmanian-born Titmus clocked three minutes and 57.49 seconds to win ahead of Canadians Summer McIntosh (3:58.37) and Ledecky (4:00.86).
Titmus led from the start as she and Ledecky started strongly at a sub-world record pace.
“Ledecky only knows how to swim this race one way: she gives it her all,” Giaan Rooney said in commentary for Channel Nine, but the American soon faded.
The Australian was on a comfortable pace as she slowly increased her lead as the halfway point of the race progressed, by which point she had briefly dropped to just under world record pace.
The record looked to be in jeopardy soon after as Titmus continued to kick away from the American with 100 metres to go.
Her lead continued to grow in the final stages of the competition, with Ledecky fading away completely and Canada’s Summer Mackintosh her only competition.
The win makes Titmus the first Australian woman to defend an individual swimming gold since Dawn Fraser in 1964.
Australian queen of the pool Ariarne Titmus defended her Olympic title with a devastating swim that left Ledecky (right) fighting for third place, with only Canada’s Summer McIntosh (left) pushing her to the finish.
Titmus struggled early on and was below world record pace for a while as he powered his way to victory in Parid.
Katie Ledecky (pictured hugging Titmus) came in a distant third.
The Australian was the clear winner, with famously excitable trainer Dean Boxall once again sending the stands into raptures after her triumph.
Australian Jamie Perkins finished last.
Titmus joins Fraser as the only Australian woman to have successfully defended an Olympic title. Fraser won gold in the 100m freestyle at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympics.
The Tasmanian, world record holder in the 200m and 400m freestyle, is also the reigning Olympic champion in the 200m freestyle: the heats and semi-finals of that event will be held on Sunday and the final on Monday.
Titmus’ triumph followed fellow Australian Elijah Winnington’s silver medal in the men’s 400m freestyle, although teammate Sam Short finished fourth.