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Tokyo Olympics: Ariarne Titmus dethrones Katie Ledecky in 400-metre swimming final

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Steve ButlerThe West Australian
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Ariarne Titmus and Katie Ledecky of Team United States react after competing in the 400-m freestyle final.
Camera IconAriarne Titmus and Katie Ledecky of Team United States react after competing in the 400-m freestyle final. Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

In what was billed as the heavyweight battle of the Tokyo Olympics, Ariarne Titmus became a national hero yesterday on dethroning her American idol in an epic final of the women’s 400-metre freestyle.

United States great Katie Ledecky, arguably the greatest female swimmer of all time, had gone from Titmus’ hero to her target in the space of one Olympic cycle and the pair delivered on all of the hype that has for months had their rivalry slated in as the Games’ main event.

Titmus, the 20-year-old Australian whose family sold their Tasmanian home to relocate to Brisbane in 2015 to fast-track her pool dreams, was tactically perfect in a swim beyond her years as she sent her parents, her coach, Olympic legend Dawn Fraser and the nation into celebratory raptures.

Ariarne Titmus beats Katie Ledecky in the women’s women’s 400-metre freestyle.
Camera IconAriarne Titmus beats Katie Ledecky in the women’s women’s 400-metre freestyle. Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

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She became just the third Australian to win the event, joining legends Lorraine Crapp (1956) and Shane Gould (1972). It was a sublime termination of a legend by the Olympic debutant swimmer known as “Arnie The Terminator”.

“I just swam intuition – the training that I’ve done, my body just knew what to do and I just tried to stay composed,” Titmus said after beating her 24-year-old rival.

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“I was excited that to win this event I had to beat a great champion and that makes it even more satisfying ... I wouldn’t be here without her. She has done unbelievable things for this sport, and especially middle-distance swimming.

“I’m really happy that I’ve brought some joy to the country during a tough time. I can’t believe I actually pulled it off.”

Sensing the theatre and the challenge in equal measures, Ledecky put her stamp on the race from the outset after a steely-eyed entrance to the pool deck. She had sent only a cursory pre-race glance at Titmus, who had already started splashing herself with the pool water.

At the 100-metre mark, Ledecky and Titmus had positioned in the quinella placings and the stage was set for the expected battle royal. The former poured on the power in the middle of each of the eight 50-metre legs and the latter closed again at every turn before hitting the front with a lap to go.

Ariarne Titmus wins the gold as her family watches on in Noosa
Camera IconAriarne Titmus wins the gold as her family watches on in Noosa Credit: Channel 7/Supplied

In a final 50 metres that seemed to take forever through the weight of intensity, Titmus clawed closer and closer and then finally, the apprentice tamed the master by elevating to a speed of 1.69 metres per second in the closing stages as her predecessor faded to 1.64. It was almost a mirror image of the 2019 World Championships race over the same distance where Titmus handed Ledecky her first loss in more than seven years.

World swimming’s new poster girl with the fierce passion to train as much as compete, now has new Commonwealth and Australian records and the adulation of the nation. Imagine, for a moment, that this victory had come at the home Olympics in Brisbane in 2032.

“To become a legend, you have to beat a legend,” Channel 7 commentator Basil Zempilas said fittingly as the pair touched the wall with just 0.67sec. separating them.

Ledecky was all class despite failing her Titmus test, offering her conqueror a touching hug as the pair stepped out of the pool.

“I think we’ve both helped each other ... we delivered a great race,” she said.

“It’s just great for this event and all the freestyle events to have had some really great competitors in the field. We’ve only raced a handful of times, I guess probably on average once a year over the last five years.

“Each race is always a tough race and that’s something that motivates you in training. I hope we have many more great races this week and in the future.”

The nervous sweat pooling in the armpits of Titmus’ father Steve, who was flanked by his wife Robyn, daughter Mia and Fraser during the race, was matched on foreheads of fans around the nation and he was overwhelmed by the moment.

“I can’t believe it, I’ve lost my voice,” Mr Titmus said. “Wow, unbelievable, just extraordinary. She’s done it, she’s actually done it. She’s just focused, determined, gritty, gutsy.”

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