Australia’s golden girl Ariarne Titmus races into the 800m final – gearing up for another heart-stopping swim against world record holder Katie Ledecky
Swimmer Ariarne Titmus’ quest for a third victory against US arch rival Katie Ledecky at the Tokyo Olympics remains in tact.
The Australian 200 and 400 metre freestyle gold medalist qualified sixth for Saturday’s 800 metre freestyle final, more than three seconds slower than Ledecky.
An ‘absolutely buggered’ Titmus finished second in her heat to post a time of 8.18.77, backing up several hours after she won bronze for Australia in the 4×200 metre relay.
Ledecky posted a slick time of 8.15 minutes to win the next heat and post the quickest time for the final after she anchored the US to gold in the same relay.
Titmus was satisfied with her time and looks forward to a well-earned rest on Friday ahead of another epic showdown with Ledecky.
Ariarne Titmus was exhausted after qualifying sixth for Saturday’s 800 metre final.
‘I had 1.5 hours in my room today,’ Titmus told Channel Seven afterwards.
‘I’m absolutely buggered. I will swim down quickly and get home. This is probably my toughest backup and it’s not an easy 800 in the morning.
‘This is a really deep field. I knew had to be tough and swim a solid swim to get through.’
Fellow Aussie Kiah Melverton is also through to the 800 metre final after finishing third in Titmus’ heat.
More to come.
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