WR Holder Ariarne Titmus: “I’m Feeling Really Good For Comm Games”

2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

  • Friday, July 29 – Wednesday, August 3, 2022
  • Birmingham, England
  • Sandwell Aquatic Center
  • Start Times
    • Prelims: 10:30 am local / 5:30 am ET
    • Finals: 7:00 pm local / 2:00 pm ET
  • LCM (50m)
  • Meet Central
  • Event Schedule
  • Entry List

21-year-old Ariarne Titmus may have opted out of this year’s World Championships in Budapest, but the Aussie is now ready to rock at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

After contracting COVID-19 after the Australian International Team Trials, the women’s 400m freestyle world record holder explains how ‘she is finally feeling back to herself’, just in time to potentially produce something special in Birmingham.

“I think I’ve got some really good work in,” says the Dean Boxall-trained Titmus. “I’ve made some shifts and I’m feeling really good for Comm Games. I think I’ve improved in some areas since Trials.”

At this year’s Aussie Trials this past May, Titmus put up a super strong 200m free outing of 1:53.31, a mark less than half a second off of the world record and just .22 away from her 1:53.09 national record clocked in 2021.

But her groundbreaking performance came in the 400m, where she took down a legendary Katie Ledecky (USA) world record with a monster result of 3:56.40.

At these Commonwealth Games, Titmus is set to take on the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle events. She’ll not only have her own domestic rivals of Mollie O’Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Madi Wilson and Kiah Melverton with which to contend. But, she’ll also be taking on 15-year-old phenom Summer McIntosh of Canada specifically in the 4free.

In the video above, listen to Titmus explain what clocked with her WR-setting performance from earlier this year, as well as what she believes she has in store in Birmingham just days from now.

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Oceanian
2 years ago

Just praying that nobody over there tests positive for rona and has to withdraw.

jason
2 years ago

She will definitely be targeting WR’s in both 200 and 400 and I think she can do it. Whilst she swam incredibly well at trials this year, she was off short preparation and would not have been fully tapered. As with all the very elite swimmers, they will be cruising in the semi-finals, without half the worlds best to compete for a finals spot. Don’t underestimate how fast the finals will be, with the extra bit of energy they save in the morning swims. CWG have often seen WR’s, there is also less pressure, like when swimmers smash the first leg of a relay. Many swimmers perform better when they are relaxed. CWG are seen as a fun competition, I… Read more »

STRAIGHTBLACKLINE
2 years ago

The CG’s will be her big statement for the year and she’ll be primed for the 200 now that she has the WR in the 400. I give her more than an outside chance of breaking it. One advantage is that it will be on the first day when she’ll be at her freshest. What might work against her is that she won’t have anyone who goes out hard like McKeon did at the Australian trials or Haughey at the Olympics.

Robbos
Reply to  STRAIGHTBLACKLINE
2 years ago

Titmus swam faster in this year’s trials then she did in the Olympics without a rabbit.

Torchbearer
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

After the Olympics we should not be concerned about her ability to pace races-she put on a master class.

Marklewis
2 years ago

She won’t have much competition.

So the races may look like time trials. McIntosh might stay close for a few laps in the 400.

That’s probably was her plan. To avoid feeling pressure and swimming a couple fast races.

Robbos
Reply to  Marklewis
2 years ago

Same competition apart from McIntosh in the Aussie trials where she swam a WR in the 400 free & the 3rd fastest 200 free ever.
I’ll take a slight improvement there.

Taa
2 years ago

She shoulda swam worlds

Joel
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

So should Dressel

Robbos
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

What did happen to Dressel? Did he just Pop(ovici) out?

Taa
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

He did show up at least

Joel
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

Titmus was very very clear right from the start that she wasn’t going to Worlds … and she said why. You know that comm games is huge for Australians and Worlds was a last moment add in for the year.

Swammer
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

Yes, Titmus was very clesr (as she told Reuters) that she wished to avoid the “external pressure” of competition against Ledecky this year.

https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/titmus-undecided-another-ledecky-showdown-2022-06-01/

Robbos
Reply to  Swammer
2 years ago

She did say that & she did & than proceeded to break Ledecky’s WR, a win win for everyone.

Njones
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

Well, ended up with covid anyways post trials so, along with other factors a good decision!

Taa
Reply to  Njones
2 years ago

Didn’t hear about that. I guess I give her a pass then.

Mako
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

Well, she did not want to. Let’s respect that and move on.

commonwombat
2 years ago

Enough to win very comfortably in 200.

Should win 400 although McIntosh scares me. Coming near the end of the program with both having some physically demanding races (Titmus – 800, McIntosh – 400IM/200FLY) may mitigate against spectacular times.

Robbos
Reply to  commonwombat
2 years ago

Will swim 1.53 hopefully even 1.52 in the 200 free.
McIntosh is not competing with Titmus this year in the 400 free.

Stephen
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

I’d hate to do a parley with Wombat. His version of taking a risk would be to back Winx eachway.

Robbos
Reply to  Stephen
2 years ago

He’s extra cautious with the Aussies, maybe it’s his Sth African side coming out.
But yes eachway on Winx wouldn’t be a great conversation starter.

commonwombat
Reply to  Stephen
2 years ago

Just someone with longer terms of reference than most here (as far back as the mid 70s) so I’ve seen the “lean years” and many very good AUS performers built up sky high by media but for whatever reasons not fully fire internationally. WR happen ….. when they happen rather than as part of any set linear pattern. I’m just seeing fewer likely ones than some of you …… but I can certainly be wrong just as often as anyone else.

Rob, I thought it was the 200 that McIntosh was skipping. She’s on the entry lists for 400fr. Titmus has to be favoured but McIntosh is clearly very dangerous.

Do actually play the horses from time to time… Read more »

swimlikeafishdrinklikeafish
2 years ago

1:54.0

GrameziPT
2 years ago

1.52.97

Swimfan
Reply to  GrameziPT
2 years ago

1:52.99

LBWIM
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

1:52.98

jeff
Reply to  LBWIM
2 years ago

i would cry if she tied it

flicker
Reply to  jeff
2 years ago

I’d almost be okay with that as long as no one broke it within a day of her and for her to then not be in 1:53 form over the next few years….

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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