DISTANCE QUEEN IS IN SIGHTS OF TERMINATOR Cate keeps guard up
SHE’S the machine-like performer living up to the nickname “The Terminator” but it’s Ariarne Titmus’s lack of fear driving her closer to previously untouchable distance queen Katie Ledecky.
Titmus has been the outstanding swimmer of the Queensland championships this week, snaring titles in the 200m and 400m freestyle before last night claiming the 800m crown.
Each swim has been exceptional considering she is not fully tapered and the national age and open records that have come would have shocked most athletes. But not Titmus, who is chasing the fastest woman in history.
Titmus’s times this week suggest she is capable of something special on the Gold Coast next year in both February’s Commonwealth Games trials, and the main meet in April.
The Tasmanian product’s progress has been exponential since she linked with Dean Boxall, a man who puts almost as much effort into her performances as the swimmer herself.
The animated coach waves, whistles and cajoles his swimmer from the sideline in an effort seen - and appreciated - by the teen.
“Some people might find it crazy but it’s good to know that he’s with me while I’m swimming the race, he’ll feel it probably just as much as me,” Titmus said.
“He knows exactly what I’ve had to do and he knows what I’ve been feeling during the race, so it’s kind of comforting to have him there as CATE Campbell will keep her friends close and enemies closer as she plots her Rio redemption.
Fresh from winning the 100m freestyle at the Queensland titles on Monday night, the 25-year-old has revealed plans to join Sweden’s world record holder Sarah Sjostrom in training camps.
“I loved my time racing over in Europe and in Asia; I’m really race fit now and it’s something where I think the Americans and Europeans really have an advantage on us,” she said.
well to push me on.”
But it’s the woman she can’t see that is driving her rapid improvement and fueling her desire to compete on an equal footing by the Tokyo Olympics.
Ledecky has pushed women’s distance swimming into unchartered territory.
“She’s definitely an inspiration for me because she’s still very young, she’s only three years older than me,” she said.
“I’m behind, but I’m not that far behind (where she was at the same age).”
In other events last night, Emma McKeon won the 200m butterfly in 2:09.33 in a strong indication she will add the event to her Commonwealth Games program.
Gold Coaster David Morgan won the men’s 200m butterfly after reaching coach Chris Nesbitt’s target time in the morning heat.