Ariarne passes Titmus test in 400m freestyle

SYDNEY • World 400 metres freestyle champion Ariarne Titmus warmed up for the Olympics by claiming the Australian title yesterday in 4min 1.34sec, as she eyes a Tokyo showdown with American star Katie Ledecky.

The 20-year-old, whose preparations were set back by a shoulder injury, turned at the halfway mark in an outdoor pool on the Gold Coast in 1:58.61 before powering home, although she missed going under the four-minute mark.

"Very happy with that... especially knowing where I'm at in my work at the moment. I kind of forgot what a 400 felt like, but now I definitely remember," said Titmus, who won the 200m title on Thursday.

"I haven't seen the splits yet, but it was more about my attitude going into the race, knowing I had to go for it. Hopefully, I'll look back at my splits and see that I did that."

Titmus stunned seemingly invincible Olympic champion and world-record holder Ledecky at the 2019 world championships, with their upcoming rematch in Tokyo one of the most anticipated.

Ledecky has also been in fine early-season form, winning the 400m at last weekend's Mission Viejo Pro Swim Series in 3:59.25.

Young prospect Elijah Winnington took the men's title in 3:45.69 - under Australia's Olympic qualifying standard ahead of the official trials in June.

Veteran Emily Seebohm was also well under the qualifying mark in winning the women's 200m backstroke in 2:07.46, after Commonwealth record holder Kaylee McKeown opted not to race in the final.

The latter instead focused on the 200m medley, where she has the fastest time this year, comfortably claiming the title in 2:09.78.

Olympic silver medallist Mitch Larkin also sat out the men's 200m backstroke final after posting a sizzling 1:54.38 in the heats as he shapes up as a serious Tokyo medal prospect.

Like McKeown, he focused on the 200m medley and stormed home in 1:56.74 to hold two of the world's three fastest times over the past 12 months.

Meanwhile, Emma McKeon won the 100m butterfly in 56.44sec, the second-fastest time over the past year as she looks to better the sixth she achieved at the 2016 Games.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE