Aussie Linden Hall kicks to Diamond League victory
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7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Aussie teens help mastermind ‘mind-boggling' upset to win 4x100m freestyle gold as Kyle Chalmers leads men to victory
Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe has praised the country's rebuilding 4x100m women's freestyle relay team after they pulled off a shock victory over the US at the world championships in Singapore. Mollie O'Callaghan, Meg Harris, Milla Jansen and Olivia Wunsch entered Sunday night's final in Singapore with a nothing-to-lose approach against hot favourites the US. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Aussie teens mastermind 'mind-boggling' upset to win gold. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today The tactic worked a treat, with Wunsch reeling in star American Torri Huske in the final 50m to produce a huge upset victory and a first gold medal for Australia at the 2025 world championships. Thorpe praised Australia's efforts, especially considering they did it without retired star Emma McKeon. Wunsch (19 years old) and Jansen (18) are still teenagers, leaving Harris (23) and O'Callaghan is (21) as the relay team's leaders in Singapore. 'It is really difficult to be able to find someone to match our most successful Olympian we've ever seen (in) Emma McKeon. She's not there,' Thorpe said. 'Cate Campbell's not there. Bronte Campbell's not there. 'But what we do have in Australia is the consistency in this race, that it's tough to make this team. 'And what I'm most impressed with is ... how they could lift for the entire team in this race. Amazing stuff.' Thorpe heaped special praise on Olympic gold medallist Harris, who produced 50m splits of 24.34s and 27.53s across her 100m leg to be the fastest Australian. 'Her split was mind-boggling,' Thorpe said on Nine. O'Callaghan said the win came as a shock given how young the team is. 'I knew it was going be a very tough year, like we've had so many rookies come through, and it's great to see them,' she said. 'They're trying to gain experience, and it's amazing to see them step up and perform. 'We didn't really have expectations on this meet, especially for this 4x100m. 'It was just about gaining experience, setting up for the next four years. But I'm incredibly proud of these three amazing women, and the two others who swam in the heats.' The Australian men were just as impressive, with the quartet of Kyle Chalmers, Flynn Southam, Kai Taylor and Maximillian Giuliani posting a world championship-record time of 3:08.97 to defeat Italy (3:09.58) and the fading US (3:09.64). Chalmers started from behind in the final leg before producing a powerful swim to lift Australia to victory. 'We've all been able to swim really well individually or split great times at different points, but it's been a matter of doing it all together at the same time, which I think we were able to do tonight,' Chalmers said. 'And like I said to the boys, it's all about now just getting it right in LA in three years time, and standing on the top of the podium there. 'It'd be really nice to be able to do that.' Monday's early action will feature 16-year-old Sienna Toohey and Ella Ramsay in the women's 100m breaststroke heats, Kaylee McKeown in the 100m backstroke heats, Josh Edwards-Smith in the men's 100m backstroke, and Lani Pallister in the women's 1500m freestyle.
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
It's mind boggling: Ian Thorpe blown away by upset win
Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe has praised the country's rebuilding 4x100m women's freestyle relay team after they pulled off a shock victory over the US at the world championships in Singapore. Mollie O'Callaghan, Meg Harris, Milla Jansen and Olivia Wunsch entered Sunday night's final in Singapore with a nothing-to-lose approach against hot favourites the US. The tactic worked a treat, with Wunsch reeling in star American Torri Huske in the final 50m to produce a huge upset victory and a first gold medal for Australia at the 2025 world championships. Thorpe praised Australia's efforts, especially considering they did it without retired star Emma McKeon. Wunsch (19 years old) and Jansen (18) are still teenagers, leaving Harris (23) and O'Callaghan is (21) as the relay team's leaders in Singapore. "It is really difficult to be able to find someone to match our most successful Olympian we've ever seen - Emma McKeon. She's not there," Thorpe said. "Cate Campbell's not there. Bronte Campbell's not there. "But what we do have in Australia is the consistency in this race, that it's tough to make this team. "And what I'm most impressed with is ... how they could lift for the entire team in this race. Amazing stuff." Thorpe heaped special praise on Olympic gold medallist Harris, who produced 50m splits of 24.34s and 27.53s across her 100m leg to be the fastest Australian. "Her split was mind boggling," Thorpe told Channel 9. O'Callaghan said the win came as a shock given how young the team is. "I knew it was going be a very tough year, like we've had so many rookies come through, and it's great to see them," she said. "They're trying to gain experience, and it's amazing to see them step up and perform. "We didn't really have expectations on this meet, especially for this 4x100m. "It was just about gaining experience, setting up for the next four years. But I'm incredibly proud of these three amazing women, and the two others who swam in the heats." The Australian men were just as impressive, with the quartet of Kyle Chalmers, Flynn Southam, Kai Taylor and Maximillian Giuliani posting a world championship-record time of 3:08.97 to defeat Italy (3:09.58) and the fading US (3:09.64). Chalmers started from behind in the final leg before producing a powerful swim to lift Australia to victory. "We've all been able to swim really well individually or split great times at different points, but it's been a matter of doing it all together at the same time, which I think we were able to do tonight," Chalmers said. "And like I said to the boys, it's all about now just getting it right in LA in three years time, and standing on the top of the podium there. "It'd be really nice to be able to do that." Monday's early action will feature 16-year-old Sienna Toohey and Ella Ramsay in the women's 100m breaststroke heats, Kaylee McKeown in the 100m backstroke heats, Josh Edwards-Smith in the men's 100m backstroke, and Lani Pallister in the women's 1500m freestyle.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
How Wallaroo saved Cup hopes after sevens 'shake up'
Two years ago, Lori Cramer caught herself wondering how she was going to keep up with the Wallaroos' influx of rugby sevens talent. The backline veteran had the 2025 World Cup, which begins in less than a month in England, circled on her calendar. "I was thinking, 'it's coming'," the 32-year-old said ahead of Saturday's Test against Wales in Brisbane. "With the sevens girls coming in, everyone knew it would shake things up a little bit. "It was like, 'Okay, shit; there's about to be a bunch of girls that are rapid and with good skills'. "I'm a bit older ... whether I can match them physically and with pace, or maybe use my wisdom and smarts. "It's about adapting and figuring out how you can become indispensable. "For me, that's my experience - comms and a bit of my leadership as well." Cramer will provide backline cover in her 30th Test, coming off the bench at Ballymore. "You have to put your ego aside; you want to send your best fighters to the fight," she said. "It's not about me, it's about the Wallaroos. So if I'm the best person for the job on the day, then let's go." The influx hasn't reached the heights it threatened to when nine sevens stars were pencilled in for Super Rugby Women's opening round. Tia Hinds will wear the No.10 on Saturday while sevens great Charlotte Caslick (ankle) is hoping to be fit for Australia's second Cup game in late August. Fellow Olympian Bienne Terita (hamstring) was in calculations but won't be fit for the England showpiece while Levi sisters Madison and Teagan withdrew their interest. Wins against Fiji and USA have been offset by losses to heavyweights Canada and New Zealand this season. Confident progress has been made, Australia - boasting a 7-1 head-to-head against Wales - can prove it in their final two opportunities on home soil. Cramer rates Welsh flyhalf Lleucu George the "best boot in women's rugby ... an absolute freak" and expects a thorough examination. "We're hitting our straps when we need to be and the games against Wales can always get a bit fiery," Cramer said. "Everyone's building for something bigger, but we want to win these Test matches as well." Emily Chancellor will captain Australia with regular skipper Siokapesi Palu (foot) injured, while Ashley Marsters will become the first Wallaroo to play 40 Tests.
