Titmus has Ledecky in her sights at Pan Pacs
THE stage was always set for Ariarne Titmus to lay down the gauntlet to American swimming great Katie Ledecky in Tokyo — at the 2020 Olympics, that is.
But the 17-year-old Tasmanian reckons that she is ready to threaten the world record holder as soon as August’s Pan Pacs Tokyo after her Commonwealth Games success.
Titmus is still trying to get her head around her threegold medal haul on the Gold Coast, especially after taking centre stage with about 50 athletes at a Brisbane street parade yesterday.
“It’s a bit overwhelming actually,” she said. “I consider myself a normal person so it is a bit strange to have people ask for photos, but I guess I have to get used to that now after my performances.”
Titmus had better get used to it if she pulls off what she has planned for the Pan Pacs.
Ledecky has looked untouchable over the 400m and 800m freestyle since bursting on to the scene at the 2012 London Olympic Games as a 15-year-old.
But suddenly the American, now 21, is looking over her shoulder.
Ledecky’s 400m world record of three minutes, 56.46 seconds once seemed out of this world, but Titmus swam the sixth-fastest time ever to smash the 400m Games record on the Gold Coast, becoming the first Australian to claim the 400m and 800m double at a Commonwealth Games since 1982.
Titmus did not seem intimidated by Ledecky before cranking up her training again next week for the Tokyo meet in August.
“No one is unbeatable. I am getting closer to her and just need to look at different areas to improve,” she said. “I am excited to race her at Pan Pacs and see where she is at.”
Titmus has been given extra time to soak up her Gold Coast achievements after being allowed to skip this week’s national age championships by animated coach Dean Boxall.
“When he gets back next week it will be full-on again. I know he can be a bit intense but I look forward to him being back — I miss him a bit,” Titmus said.
In the meantime, she is trying to settle back into “normal life” as a Year 12 schoolgirl in Brisbane.