World Championships, Day 6: Marrit Steenbergen Out-Touches Mollie O’Callaghan in Women’s 100 Freestyle Thriller to Go Back-To-Back
Marrit Steenbergen from The Netherlands won a slice of World Championships history on Friday night, winning back-to-back 100-meter freestyle titles in a thrilling final in Singapore.
The 25-year-old became the fourth swimmer in history to defend her title in the event, clocking 52.55 to edge out two-time champion, Australia’s Mollie O’Callaghan, by just .12. O’Callaghan, the 2022 and 2023 champion, clocked 52.67.
The world-ranked No. 1 Dutchwoman lined up against the winner of the 200 freestyle from earlier in the week and they were inseparable until the final touch. The women hit the turn locked together in 25.34, just behind race leader and Olympic silver medalist Torri Huske, who was out in 25.16.
But with 25 meters to swim, Steenbergen made her move and O’Callaghan struggled to respond. However, the Australian hung on desperately in a stroke-for-stroke battle to the finish, with Steenbergen out-touching O’Callaghan at the wall.
Seventh in the Olympics in 2024, Steenbergen, who made her World Championships debut at 15 in Kazan in 2015, won her first world crown last year, setting a national record of 52.26.
Huske, a victim of the gastro virus that has swept through the American camp this week, won bronze in 52.89, as she did in 2022 in Budapest.
Steenbergen said: “I was at the 75m mark when I saw I was slightly ahead, but I knew Mollie just goes so fast in that second 50m, and I felt like I was getting tired, so it’s like okay, just keep going, keep going. I tried not to look at her, so it was just at the finish that I knew for sure that I had her.
“I just tried to do my best and that’s what I tried to think about. I was just, I don’t know, relieved… happy. I think I felt all the emotions at the same time. When I turned around at first I saw the light, and I was like, OK, this still can be (the) No. 2 place. I was so happy when I saw that (it) was first.
”It feels so crazy. In this field, again, I don’t know what to feel, I’m just so happy. After the (4x100m freestyle) relay, I knew I was in a good shape. But I was getting more nervous throughout the week. Tonight, I was feeling it a bit. I just tried to keep my calm. To race the girls here, it’s always like, I want to win, but they’re so good, you know?
“I hope I can be at this shape in three years (at the 2028 Olympics). You know, a lot can happen. There can be new swimmers. There are other swimmers that maybe didn’t compete tonight, so we’ll see what happens. It’s still three years away, but it’s a good starting point.”
O’Callaghan admitted she felt the effects of a busy five days, both physically and emotionally. Prior to the final of the 100 free, she had already won three gold medals – 200 freestyle and both the 400 and 800m freestyle relays. She indicated he had nothing to give.
“I’ve had the heaviest program in the Australian team, so I’ve had to really get my act together as best as I could this week,” said O’Callaghan.
“I’ve got another few relays, which is exciting. It’s nice to finish off with relays and for that, hopefully I can pick myself up again, get a flush, cool down and get going again.”
Huske revealed how tough her week has been, saying: “It was definitely a rocky start, and I never had such a rollercoaster of a meet before, but I’m really proud of not just that swim but my prelims and semis as well, and that I was able to get back to normal. So I was really proud about that.”
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