Ariarne Titmus Produces Strong Response to Katie Ledecky in 400 Freestyle at Aussie Champs

Ariarne Titmus Produces Strong Response to Katie Ledecky in 400 Freestyle

One week after Katie Ledecky packaged a sub-4:00 performance in the 400-meter freestyle, reigning world champion Ariarne Titmus provided her response at the Australian Championships. Charging to the lead from the start, Titmus registered a time of 4:01.34 to easily prevail, and complement her earlier victory in the 200 freestyle.

Titmus went out in 1:58.61 at the midway point and recorded a triumph of nearly seven seconds over Leah Neale (4:08.26). When Titmus and Ledecky last clashed, the Aussie youngster handed the American a rare defeat in the event at the 2019 World Championships. While Titmus is a special talent, evidenced by her all-time No. 2 performer status in the 400 free, it is important to note that Ledecky dealt with a stomach virus during the World Champs.

With Ledecky and Titmus shining over the past two weekends, the excitement level over their impending duel at this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo is sure to grow. Fans and media won’t have to wait long for the matchup, as the women’s 400 freestyle is scheduled for the second morning of finals at the Olympics.

Earlier in the meet, Titmus won the 200 freestyle in 1:55.43 and has diffused any concerns that the shoulder injury which plagued Titmus last year will be a lingering problem.

Veteran Emily Seebohm was the winner of the 200 backstroke, behind a swim of 2:07.46. Seebohm was second in the 100 backstroke to Kaylee McKeown, who opted to focus on the 200 individual medley on Friday.

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